Family violence and family law: Time to re-visit the impact of violence on property settlements?

Abstract

Research has established that family violence is a gendered harm and that Australian women are most likely to experience physical and sexual violence in their home, at the hands of a male partner or ex-partner. Family violence has been high on the political agenda during 2016 and 2017. Rosie Batty used her role as Australian of the Year to bring the issue of violence to the fore in both public and political discussion. The Commonwealth Government made substantial additional funding available to address family violence, and Victoria and Queensland initiated family violence inquiries leading to two significant reports.