PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11 JUNE 2008

Jigsaw Believes Proposed Safety Order Legislation Will Help Children

Liz Kinley, Jigsaw CEO Strategic Operations, has added Jigsaw’s support to the proposal that Police who attend a domestic violence incident be given the power to issue a safety order. They can do this when they assess that there are immediate safety issues but they do not have sufficient evidence to make an arrest.

Ms Kinley believes the constraints of the current legislation often make a frightening situation worse for children.

‘Jigsaw’s national role is to help families and communities look after the best interests of children and young people. Under the present legislation, it is mothers and children, as the primary victims of family violence, who have to leave their homes and familiar surroundings to find safety when a domestic violence incident happens. This is very disruptive and upsetting for children who have already been traumatised by witnessing the violence taking place in their household.’

Ms Kinley thinks the proposed law changes will have a positive effect for children.

‘The proposed change in legislation will mean that children will be more likely to be able to stay at home with their mothers, while the perpetrator of the violence leaves home for a cooling down period. This has to be a better solution from the child’s point of view.’

ENDS

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