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Perth: Domestic violence restraining orders to apply across state boundaries

Jessica WarrinerWestern Suburbs Weekly

DOMESTIC violence restraining orders will now apply across state and territory boundaries after WA signed up to a nationwide initiative.

Legislation was passed yesterday enabling WA to take part in the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme, which is set to begin on November 25.

From this date, all new family and domestic violence restraining orders will hold across the country, in a move to enhance victim safety and perpetrator accountability.

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Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services policy officer Kedy Kristal said the changes would mean violence perpetrators would be held responsible for their actions wherever they were.

“The scheme means if victims are moving interstate for safety reasons or personal reasons, they won’t have to make a fresh application,” Ms Kristal said.

“It’ll mean women coming in to our State for the same reasons will also be protected by their existing orders.

“Taking out a restraining order is a process in the physical sense, and it also takes an emotional toll on women standing up in court and having to tell their story again, and having to prove the fact they need protection.”

Ms Kristal said the country-wide scheme recognises domestic and family violence victims are entitled to be protected from abuse without having to jump through a series of hoops.

Domestic and family violence restraining orders made before November 25 can be brought within the national scheme via an application to a court.

“By joining the national scheme, victims of family and domestic violence will be able to get on with their lives secure in the knowledge they have enforceable legal protection right across Australia,” Attorney-General John Quigley said.

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