ARE THE CURRENT LAWS AND SENTENCES DISPENSED TO OFFENDERS FOR ACTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN SUFFICIENT AND A REFLECTION OF SOCIETIES ATTITUDES TODAY?

BACKGROUND The society in which we live in today increasingly reports on violence against women, either by an intimate partner, family member or stranger. Today, the incidents of violence against women in society appears to be escalating with current laws failing to properly incarcerate and deter individuals from such heinous acts. Gender inequality plays a role in the continued violence against women, as it is through the socialization process and sometimes though certain cultural beliefs and norms males may perceive they are the dominant sex. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), reported sexual assault and related offences had increased from 6,006 in to 7,175 in , a 19 % increase.

LITERATURE REVIEW Research was undertaken on current peer reviewed articles to evaluate information and build upon past research. Violent acts against women in society seem to be prevalent and pervade all aspects of social interactions from domestic violence, sexual harassment in the workplace, date rape, assault and murder from partners, family members and unknown offenders world wide. The inadequacies of the adversarial system, fails to acknowledge and listen to the difficulties of abused women in maintaining non-compliance of court orders by offenders. Societal attitudes and willingness to help women of domestic violence depends upon the circumstances of the situation. Lack of funding, policing, specialized services and community support to properly contain and administer timely and effective assistance. Research into this social problem will aid in bringing about the reasons why the problem is escalating, set into place laws to protect victims and their families, educate society and young males on a non- tolerant attitude to violence against women, and establish viable policy making decisions and laws.

RESEARCH QUESTION Are the current laws and sentences dispensed to offenders for acts of violence against women sufficient and a reflection of societies attitudes today? Definitions of laws under the Family Violence Protection Act 2008; family violence is defined as assault-causing personal injury, sexual assault,causing or threatening to cause death, depriving liberty, damage or the threat to damage property. To remove doubt behaviour may constitute family violence and not be a criminal offence, however may also be linked to criminal laws. Operational Definitions will research first time and recidivist offenders, different types of violence such as rape, detainment, murder, rehabilitation, incarceration and and programs.

METHODOLOGY Information will be collected through surveys; a mailed questionnaire which will be posted to randomly selected homes using the electoral roll. Questions will relate to; A) attitudes towards violence against women B) perceptions of current laws and sentences C) awareness of any programs, rehabilitation, deterrence measures, and community assistance and support. Secondary data will be used by drawing on the Australian Bureau of Statistics Crime Victimization survey for comparison analysis.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS Ethical protocols while undertaking the research are adhered to ensuring participants are treated with respect and ensuring confidentiality of the information supplied. At any time the participant may leave the research. An informed consent to be obtained from the participant to freely take part in the research. To protect the identities of the participants code numbers or pseudonyms will be assigned to each individual. The research will be conducted in a manner where participants are not harmed physically or psychologically. The research is not conducted for financial gain but is to aid in the formation of policy, education, programs, and reforms for issues of violence against women in our society.