Justice and Community Safety Directorate

The ACT community faces risk from other hazards including storms, floods, and extreme heat, and should prepare for all hazards when preparing for bushfire. The ACT Emergency Services Agency personalises the way we educate the community through engaging them so that they respond better, with better outcomes.

Project	Summary
ACT Ambulance Service (ACTAS) Patient Satisfaction	Each year ACTAS participates in a national survey with all other Australian ambulance services seeking feedback from patients or the carers of patients to whom the ACTAS has provided clinical care. Key objectives of the survey are to benchmark perceived service quality and customer satisfaction levels across all state and territory ambulance services. During 2015–16, 1300 surveys were issued. The survey results are collated nationally and the outcomes are published after the end of the financial year. In the 2015 survey ACTAS achieved an overall patient satisfaction of 98 per cent, the same as in 2014.
Stroke Awareness: Be Aware – Get Checked	In September 2015, ACTAS supported the National Stroke Foundation by asking all Emergency Services Agency (ESA) staff to use an email banner with a message and embedded link to the National Stroke Foundation web-site. The program raised awareness of the importance of early recognition of the signs of stroke and early assessment and treatment. During National Stroke Week in 2015 ACTAS joined the SES StormSafe launch at Floriade to offer health checks and CPR practice.
Canberra Bushfire Ready Community Education Campaign	Implementation of the Canberra Bushfire Ready (CBR) campaign started across the ACT in the summer of the 2014–15 reporting period. CBR delivers a targeted face-to-face message designed to motivate Canberrans to prepare their homes, property, and families to respond to bushfires and natural disasters. The CBR 2015–16 evaluation data indicates that the face-to-face delivery of preparedness messages has an influence on motivating social behaviour change, and develops community understanding of bushfire risk. Doorknocking is resource intensive; therefore, all ESA entities deliberately targeted bushfire-prone areas to have the largest impact. The CBR campaign highlights the positive influence of delivering community education in an integrated and coordinated approach. This has allowed the ACT community to take greater responsibility for their safety by acting on information, advice, and other cues provided before an emergency. All ESA entities worked to deliver the program’s key messages into the community, maximise volunteer members’ time, and promote ESA as the trusted agency for emergency management within the ACT. In 2015–16, ACTAS continued to participate in the CBR campaign to increase awareness in at-risk vulnerable community groups and individuals of extreme heat health risks and avoiding heat stress. The Extreme Heat fact sheet and Emergency Medical Information forms are available on the ACTAS website. This program aims to increase community awareness of the risks associated with extreme heat events and strategies to prevent heat stroke.
ACT Rural Fire Service (ACTRFS) Centenary Exhibition	The ACTRFS Centenary Exhibition at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre included displays of memorabilia, photographs, historical documents, equipment and uniforms. It provided a historical view that promoted the ACTRFS’s proud history serving the ACT community. The Exhibition was officially opened on 1 October 2015 and finished on 11 November 2015. The collection of images and memorabilia in the exhibition were part of the Forest Fire Museum and an Exhibition held in 2013 at Mt Stromlo in recognition of the Canberra 2003 bushfires. The original collection had the addition of some oral histories of senior members of the Rural Fire Service and members of the ACT Rural Community. The exhibit provided a great insight into the last 100 years of bushfire fighting in the ACT. Historical records show that Rural Fire Fighting began in an organised manner on the Limestone Plains area in 1915. While this initial crude response from the community to protect themselves from a fire was somewhat ad-hoc in regards to today’s arrangements, it signals a recognition that the ACT and surrounding areas was and remains at significant risk of bushfire.
ACTRFS Open Day	In October, the ACTRFS held its annual Open Day and Field Day at the ACTRFS Helicopter Base in Hume. The Open Day is a community engagement event designed to increase awareness of risk of bushfires, what community members can do to prepare their residences and the role of ACTRFS and ACTRFS volunteers. On the day, a variety of family-friendly activities, displays and fire fighting equipment were set up to teach members of the community of all ages, about bushfire preparedness. Visitors entered the event through the ACTRFS Heli-base and were presented with a wide range of important bushfire preparedness and safety information. The display comprised the ‘CBR Bushfire Ready’ program as part of the information sharing opportunity. This provided members of the public an ability to assess and understand their level of bushfire risk and they were presented with show bags which obtained printed copies of the Bushfire Survival Plan.
Royal Canberra Show	In February, both ACTRFS and ACT Fire & Rescue (ACTF&R) provided displays at the Royal Canberra Show. The theme of the RFS community awareness display was the history of fire fighting in the ACT. The display featured the ‘Bedford’ historical fire truck, the new Centenary fire truck, memorabilia, photographs, historical documents, giving volunteers excellent opportunity to interact with the public about bushfire preparedness living in the ‘Bush Capital’. The display comprised the ‘Canberra Bushfire Ready’ program as part of the information sharing, CBR show bags and the CBR brag banner for photo opportunities. The ACTRFS display won first prize for ‘Best Community/Non-Profit Display’.
Support to major events	The ACTRFS, ACTF&R and ACT State Emergency Service (ACTSES) provided support to some of the larger community events included Australia Day Celebrations, Convoy for Cancer Families, Huntley Community Weekend, Canberra Airport Open Day, The Snowy Hydro Southcare Base Open Day and the Lightning Bolt Convoy (raising awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Community Fire Unit (CFU) Saturday	CFU Saturday conducted on 10 October 2015 is a program delivered by ACTF&R CFU volunteers and staff members annually. The program which is delivered in CFU local areas and adjacent shopping centres is designed to help educate the Canberra community on a number of topics. Primarily the education is centred on the dangers of bushfire and the preparatory steps ACT citizens can take to help protect their properties from bushfire. This includes reduction in flammable overgrowth and general tidiness of yards in the urban interface zones and other protective measures to limit the impact of fire and ember attack. The second aim of the program is to inform the general community of the presence and roles of the local CFUs in their neighbourhood. CFU’s not only assist to protect interface properties in specific higher risk areas but are a valuable educational resource due to their training and association with ACTF&R.
Fire Safety Education Campaign (Fire Ed)	In the 2015–16 reporting period, ACTF&R successfully delivered the annual Fire Safety Education Campaign (Fire Ed) with 5,500 ACT students in kindergarten. The aim of Fire Ed is to provide students with fun, practical, and essential information on fire safety and what to do if a fire starts. ACTF&R start teaching fire safety to children from a young age to ensure that children and their families are safe at home. Students are educated in a 45-minute lesson with experienced firefighters. The session highlights the importance of: triple zero stop, drop and roll getting down low when smoke is inside a home. The lesson shows students they do not need to be afraid of firefighters in full personal protective gear and gives them a chance to sit in a fire truck and see the equipment used to save lives. ACTF&R invite all Kindergarten classes annually in the ACT to take part in Fire Ed.
The ACT F&R recruitment campaign	The ACTF&R recruitment campaign for firefighters was launched by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in November 2015. The Equal Employment Opportunity Program aimed at increasing the number of female recruits. ACTF&R engaged a social research consultancy to conduct market research to support the development of the recruitment campaign that used a range of traditional forms of communication and social media to attract women to apply for the 2016 Recruit College. ACTF&R also implemented a range of initiatives including ‘come and try’ days and regional tours by women firefighters encouraging women to consider a career in ACTF&R. There was an overwhelming response to the ACTF&R Recruitment Campaign: 802 applications received 18 percent of all 114 applications were from females 25 percent of the 16 recruits are female the recruits commenced on 16 June 2016.
Legacy Gutter Cleaning Program	The ACTSES, in consultation with Legacy House, provides storm preparation for the Legacy Widows each year. ACTSES volunteers support the widows by clearing and cleaning their gutters, checking their yards and offering advice on what they can do to prepare their homes in an emergency. The widows are also educated on when to call 132 500 and 000. Each widow is given resources such as magnets and pamphlets, and a welfare check is also conducted on the widows and reported back to Legacy House as part of this ongoing program. In the 2015–2016 Legacy gutter cleaning program, 138 homes were visited by the ACTSES in the lead up to and including the ‘Storm Season’. Legacy House staff continues to work with the ACTSES to assist a number of Legacy widows to prepare their homes for storms and other hazards such as bushfire and to ensure that the widows are well-informed and aware of the program each year.
National StormSafe Campaign	Each year the ACTSES participates in this national campaign with all other Australian State/Territory Emergency Services to promote preparedness and resilience to storm and flood events. The ACTSES StormSafe campaign ran over the month of September with an official launch at Floriade Kids Corner on 19 September 2015. Further StormSafe messaging and activities were conducted through social media and interactive displays in the lead up to the launch inclusive of National Science Week and Geo Science Australia Open Day. There were approximately 12, 000 people who walked through the gates at Floriade on the day of the launch and the ACTSES Facebook page reached approximately 35,000 people throughout the month of September compared to 27,000 the month before. This campaign resulted in an increased awareness across the community of how to prepare homes for storms and floods, and how to behave before, during and after the event.
ACTSES Week Campaign	National SES Week is celebrated across Australia to recognise the contribution and commitment of all SES volunteers. All SES States and Territories take part in their own set of organised activities based around a National Theme – Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW). To engage the community the campaign is run nationally through media, and radio. The volunteers play a big part in this campaign as their work and dedication is celebrated. In 2015, National SES Week was celebrated by the following activities: ACTSES Community day, to interact with members of the public and showcase the roles of the ACTSES and SES Nationally Honours and Awards for the volunteers and their employers Businesses and organisations participated in WOW Day to recognise the commitment of ACTSES volunteers by hosting morning teas, and running events ACTSES Trivia night, for volunteers to have a night away from their usual work and to raise money for a local cause, Lifeline Canberra -volunteers raised just over $4,000 for Lifeline Canberra which was donated to go directly to their call-taking services. ACT SES Week and WOW Day provided an opportunity to raise the profile of the SES nationally and thank volunteers, their families and employers locally.
Needle and Syringe Program Working Group	During 2015–16, Justice and Community Safety Directorate (including ACT Corrective Services), the Health Directorate and the Community and Public Sector Union established a working group to develop a model for a Needle and Syringe Program to be put to AMC staff for their consideration. Part of the process involved direct engagement with community groups and NGOs such as staff unions, NGO health service providers and drug reform advocacy groups on their views on a workable model. These groups actively engaged in the consultation process and their input informed the considerations of the working group.
Development of a Justice Service Delivery Model, to replace the Former Aboriginal Justice Centre	The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body was consulted on the development of a Justice Service Delivery Model, to replace the former Aboriginal Justice Centre. Advice provided by the Elected Body will inform the new Justice Service Delivery Model and further consultation with the broader community.
Development of the Justice Reinvestment Strategy (JRIS)	34 government, community sector, and representatives from academia participated in the JRIS Advisory Group. The agencies represented include Justice and Community Safety, ACT Policing, Legal Aid, ACT Human Rights Commission, Sentence Administration Board, Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development, ACT Health, Education and Training Directorate, Victim Support ACT, Public Advocate, Australian National University, University of Canberra, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, ACT Council of Social Services, Australian Institute of Criminology, Youth Coalition, Aboriginal Legal Service (ACT/NSW), Alcohol and Other Drugs Association, Menslink, Justice Reform Group (formerly known as Community Integration Governance Group), Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service, Gugan Gulwan, PCYC and Reclink. Key deliverables that will underpin the development of the ACT Strategy have been supported by this group and approved by the Attorney-General.
Development of an ACT Justice Reinvestment Trial	60 participants from government, community sector, academics and those with lived experience of the ACT justice system participated in workshop 2 on the Justice Reinvestment Trial. These included the Justice and Community Safety Directorate, Community Services Directorate, Education and Training Directorate, ACT Policing, ACT Health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, Justice Reform Group, ACT Council of Social Services, Australian Institute of Criminology, Northside Community Service, Legal Aid, Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT, Street Law: an outreach legal service for the homeless, Domestic Violence Crisis Service, Hepatitis ACT, Prisoner’s Aid, Toora Coming Home Program, St Vincent de Paul, Red Cross, Shine for Kids, Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy, Reclink Australia, Commonwealth Department of Human Services, Red Cross and the Australian National University, Regulatory institutions Network (RegNet) and Bourke Justice Reinvestment Project. The outcomes of the workshop have helped to inform the scope and structure of the Justice Reinvestment Trial.
Victims Advisory Board (VAB)	The statutory responsibility of the VAB is to advise the Minister on policies, priorities and strategies for the acknowledgment, protection and promotion of the interests of victims in the administration of justice. The VAB met once during the reporting period on 15 September 2015. The VAB is made up of the Director-General, Justice and Community Safety Directorate, the Victims of Crime Commissioner and representatives from: the Director of Public Prosecutions, ACT Policing, ACT Courts, Corrective Services, Youth Justice, Restorative Justice Unit, three people who represent the interests of victims services groups, one person from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and one person who is a lawyer.
Sexual Assault Reform Program Reference Group (SARP)	The SARP Reference Group is established to improve processes and support for victims of sexual offences as they progress through the criminal justice system, reduce attrition in sexual offence matters in the criminal justice system and improve coordination and collaboration among agencies involved in the criminal justice system. The SARP Reference Group is made up of representatives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), ACT Policing, ACT Corrective Services, Legal Aid Office (ACT), Canberra Rape Crisis Centre, the Victims of Crime Commission, ACT Law Courts and Tribunal Administration, Office of Children, Youth and Family Support, Forensic and Medical Sexual Assault Clinic, Child at Risk Health Assessment Unit, ACT Bar Association and the ACT Law Society. The SARP Reference Group met in March 2016 to discuss key activities associated with its objectives.
Liquor Reform	During the reporting period, the Government has undertaken significant consultation on liquor reform. In July 2015, the Issues Paper: Addressing Alcohol-related Harm was released, to provide the community and stakeholders with an opportunity to consider and provide views on proposals for reform to reduce the incidence of alcohol-related harms. 28 submissions were received in relation to the Issues Paper. In September 2015, the Proposals for Regulatory Improvements Paper was released. This gave key stakeholders the opportunity to consider proposals for further legislative reform to streamline the Act, reduce regulatory burden and promote an efficient and vibrant liquor and hospitality sector. The Government received five submissions in response to the Proposals Paper. In April 2016, the Building on Liquor Reform: White Paper was provided to the Liquor Advisory Board (the LAB) for its views and released publicly. The White Paper contained 21 proposed amendments aimed at reducing alcohol related harm, and a further 19 amendments aimed at improving the vibrancy and diversity of the ACT’s nightlife, reducing unnecessary regulatory burden on licensees, and improving the operation of the legislation.
Liquor Advisory Board (LAB)	The LAB is made up of the Director-General, Justice and Community Safety Directorate; the Commissioner for Fair Trading; the Victims of Crime Commissioner; and representative members of ACT Policing; the community; young people; small business; off-licensees; the Australian Hotels Associations (ACT Branch); Clubs ACT; the Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders; and members with knowledge or expertise in the area of health and the effects of alcohol. The statutory responsibility of the LAB is to advise the Minister about matters associated with the operation and effectiveness of the Liquor Act and measures, including legislative measures that support the harm minimisation and community safety principles. The LAB met twice during the reporting period.
ACT Road Safety Advisory Board	Legislation Policy and Programs (LPP) undertook consultation with ACT Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurers and peak road safety and road user representative groups to obtain nominations for positions on the ACT Road Safety Advisory Board (the Board). The Board was established to provide advice and recommendations to the Minister for Road Safety on the application of the ACT Road Safety Fund, including the allocation of the ACT road safety community grants program. The Board is also responsible for providing advice to the Minister for Road Safety on the implementation of the ACT Road Safety Strategy and any road safety policy issues. The Advisory Board is a non-statutory body, comprising an ACT Government executive as chair, nominees of ACT CTP insurers and road user representatives and road safety experts. Vicki Parker, Deputy Director-General for the Justice and Community Safety Directorate was appointed to chair the Board. Each member of the Board is appointed for a three year term and the positions are not renumerated.
Safer Cycling Reforms	Legislation Policy and Programs (LPP) established the Safer Cycling Reforms project to oversee the implementation of recommendations seven (allow cyclists to ride across pedestrian crossings), 11 (establish a cyclist code of conduct) and 15–17 (consider introduction of a minimum passing rule for overtaking cyclists) of the Vulnerable Road User Inquiry. A project plan was developed with governance arrangements including a stakeholder working group. The stakeholder working group comprised representation of NRMA Motoring and Services, Pedal Power, Amy Gillett Foundation, Motorcycle Riders Association, Freebott Pty Ltd (manager of the Road Ready contract), Heart Foundation ACT and other representative groups. ACT government agencies and ACT Policing also participated in the working group.
ACT Road Safety Forum	The ACT Road Safety Action Plan 2016–2020 includes a commitment to hold an annual ACT Road Safety Forum. The inaugural forum was organised in 2015–16 by Legislation Policy and Programs (LPP) in partnership with the Australasian College of Road Safety. The purpose of the forum, which was held in September 2015, was to bring the ACT road safety community together to learn, plan and link road safety efforts. The forum had a specific focus on achieving road safety objectives through increasing the number of people using public transport and active travel.
Service Planning for the Legal Assistance Sector	Following cross-jurisdictional negotiations on the National Partnership Agreement on Legal Assistance Services, on 1 July 2015 the ACT became responsible for managing service planning across the ACT legal assistance sector. Legislation Policy and Programs (LPP) manages service planning as chair of the ACT Legal Assistance Forum (ACTLAF). ACTLAF consists of representatives from legal assistance organisations in the ACT, including Legal Aid ACT, the ACT Law Society and ACT’s community legal centres including Canberra Community Law, the Women’s Legal Centre, the Tenants’ Union and the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT). The objective of service planning is to coordinate legal assistance service provision in the ACT region so that services are integrated, efficient and effective and focused on improving access to justice for disadvantaged people, while maximising service delivery within available resources.
The Restorative Justice Survey	The Restorative Justice Survey is aimed to evaluate the quality of participant experiences and improve the operations of the restorative justice unit in its interactions with the community. Every participant is given the opportunity to contribute. In 2015–16, 217 surveys were completed by 65 young offenders, 2 adult offenders, 68 victims, and 82 victim/offender supporters. The results of the surveys show a 98 percent satisfaction rate with the service.
Restorative Communities	The Restorative Communities Network is a community of restorative practitioners and advocates which is supporting a proposed declaration of Canberra as a Restorative City. It has run three community-based workshops in 2016 designed to explore the reinvigoration of restorative practices across Canberra’s schools, health and disability sectors. A comprehensive consultation process informed the development of discussion questions for the health and disability sector workshops. 23 community and government stakeholders from 19 agencies were interviewed prior to the health workshop. 18 community and government stakeholders from 10 agencies were interviewed prior to the disability workshop. 300 people are engaged with the Network on a semi-regular basis. They, and identified sector-specific individuals, receive invitations to all Network workshops. 70 people attended the Restorative Practices in Schools Workshop, representing a cross-section of schools, government and community sector agencies. 70 people attended the Restorative Practices in the Health Sector Workshop, representing a cross-section of schools, government and community sector agencies. 45 people attended the Restorative Practices in the Disability Sector Workshop, representing a cross-section of disability sector, mental health sector, and government and community agencies.
Reform to the jurisdiction and structure of the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal	In January 2016 a discussion paper was released seeking views on proposals for reform to the civil dispute jurisdiction and membership structure of the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Following this consultation legislation was passed providing for an increase in the civil dispute jurisdiction.
Review of the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1990 – appointment criteria for the Director	In August 2015 a consultation process commenced with justice system stakeholders about possible changes to the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1990 relating to the appointment criteria for the Director in section 22 of the Act. Further consideration of this issue is anticipated in the 2016 review of civil surveillance.
Review of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997	Public consultation on the review of the Residential Tenancies Act took place between 24 July 2014 and 12 September 2014. Two public forums were held during the consultation period. 94 responses were received to a web-based survey and 36 submissions were received by other means. The report on the review, together with an initial Bill for amendments to the Act, was tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly in the June 2016 sittings.
Review of the Retirement Villages Act 2012	The review of the Retirement Villages Act was conducted with the assistance of a Review Advisory Group of key stakeholders representing residents and operators of retirement villages, advocacy groups and other relevant bodies. Public consultation on the review of the Retirement Villages Act 2012 took place between 29 September 2015 and 8 December 2015. During the public consultation period, four public forums were held. Three forums were also held at major ACT retirement villages. 27 written submissions were received during the public consultation period.
Discrimination Act Amendment	The Justice and Community Safety Directorate conducted consultation on a first stage of reforms to the Discrimination Act 1991 to implement a range of recommendations made by the ACT Law Reform Advisory Council. Consultation ran for 6 weeks from 18 December 2015.
Privacy Tort	The Justice and Community Safety Directorate conducted consultation on a discussion paper on the necessity and appropriateness of a privacy tort for serious invasions of privacy. The discussion paper was provided to key stakeholders in the legal community for input between December 2015 and February 2016. Further consideration of this issue is anticipated in the 2016 review of civil surveillance.
Protection of Rights	Throughout 2015, the Justice and Community Safety Directorate consulted on reforms to the Human Rights Commission Act 2005 and Public Trustee Act 1985 to improve the structure and governance mechanisms of the Human Rights Commission, Public Advocate, and Public Trustee. A discussion paper was publically released in April 2015 and over 40 written submissions were received from organisations and individuals in the community. A consultation outcomes paper was released in October 2015. Ongoing consultation with statutory office holders, agency staff and other key stakeholders informed the development and implementation of the Protection of Rights (Services) Acts that were passed by the Legislative Assembly in early 2016. These changes commenced on 1 April 2016.
Consorting laws for the ACT	A discussion paper seeking community views on consorting laws in the ACT was released on 9 June 2016. The discussion paper included information about serious and organised crime in Australia, the historical and current operation of consorting laws across Australian jurisdictions, and a model for potential implementation in the ACT. It also pointed to a number of key issues and challenges raised by consorting laws. The Government is not progressing consorting laws at this stage and will keep the matter under review.
De novo appeals against a sentence from the Magistrates Court to the Supreme Court	A discussion paper seeking community views on changes to the appeal process in the ACT was released on 20 August 2015. The paper discussed Inquiry into Sentencing Report recommendations calling on the ACT to adopt the NSW approach to de novo appeals against sentences. The Government is considering the submissions received in response to the discussion paper and will also examine the NSW Government’s views on de novo appeals in its response to the NSW Law Reform Commission Report on Criminal Appeals (Report 140).
Double Jeopardy reform in the ACT	An information paper outlining proposed amendments to double jeopardy law in the ACT was released to the public on 1 September 2015. The paper proposed three limited exceptions to the rule that an acquitted person cannot be retried for the same offence, to address injustice that can arise where there is fresh and compelling evidence, a tainted trial or the commission of an administration of justice offence. The Supreme Court Amendment Act 2016, which includes changes to the rule against double jeopardy was passed by the Assembly in June 2016.
Expanding the use of criminal infringement notices in the ACT	A discussion paper was released for public comment on 25 January 2016 on the proposal to add seven offences to the current criminal infringement notice scheme in the ACT. It is proposed that this will provide for clear and timely penalties while reducing the number of cases before the courts relating to low-level offences. The Government is considering the submissions received in response to the discussion paper to determine the best way forward.
Family violence law reforms	On 7 April 2016 a roundtable was held to provide an overview of proposed changes to ACT family violence legislation and seek feedback on these changes. A range of government and community stakeholders were invited including: ACT Law Courts and Tribunal, ACT Law Society, Director of Public Prosecutions, ACT Bar Association, ACT Police, Canberra Rape Crisis Centre, Women’s Legal Centre, Domestic Violence Prevention Council, Aboriginal Legal Services and ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body. Following the roundtable further feedback and submissions from stakeholders were sought and received in relation to the proposed legislation. The Family Violence Bill 2016 and the Personal Violence Bill 2016 were presented to the ACT Legislative Assembly on 7 June 2016.
Justice Reform Strategy	The Justice Reform Strategy (JRS) continued with its series of Core Design Workshops designed to inform the work of the JRS in relation to specific themes. On 12 October 2015, a Core Design Workshop on ‘Disability and Cognitive Impairment issues relating to sentencing’ was held with approximately 20 attendees. On 4 December 2015, a Core Design Workshop on ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues relating to sentencing’ was held with approximately 45 attendees.
This is Not a ‘Wife Beater’ Campaign	The ACT Government proudly supported the relaunch of the This is Not a ‘Wife Beater’ campaign on 12 June 2015. This is Not a ‘Wife Beater’ is a Canberra-based, not-for-profit campaign that challenges harmful language, attitudes, stereotypes and myths that minimise and condone intimate partner and family violence. The campaign was relaunched with the support of Yvette Berry MLA, Victim Support ACT, Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT, YWCA Canberra, and the ACT Domestic Violence Prevention Council. A public exhibition at the Legislative Assembly on 11 August 2015, featuring photos of the campaign ambassadors and sponsors in ‘respecter’ singlets, marked the launch of This is Not a ‘Wife Beater’ for 2015.
Coffee cup campaign	The ACT Government provided funding of $6250 to support the coffee cup advocacy campaign on International Women’s Day, 8 March 2016. The advocacy campaign was a joint initiative between This is Not a ‘Wife Beater’ and Young Women’s Christian Association Canberra. The campaign saw over 50 Canberra cafes deliver key messages about respectful relationships, positive bystander action and ending violence against women via takeaway cups. The campaign supported action priority one from the Domestic Violence Prevention Council’s Extraordinary Meeting Report, which is to challenge and change the culture and attitudes to domestic and family violence. The campaign also supported key priority one of the ACT Domestic and Family Violence Action Plan 2015-2017 ‘Driving whole of community and government action to prevent violence and create an anti-violence culture’.
Justice stakeholders	The Justice and Community Safety Directorate actively engages with justice stakeholders, including through regular meetings and attendance at ACT Law Society and ACT Bar Association meetings, being on the Executive Board of the Australian Institute of Administrative Law and the Advisory Board for the Centre for International and Public Law.

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