is it really DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?..

[cods]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/ ... d503822eb9

A MAGISTRATE has shocked anti-violence campaigners by describing a domestic assault charge as a lower-end allegation that happens “in every second house” while accusing the woman complainant of “slapping the court in the face” for failing to turn up.

Waverley Local Court magistrate Michael Barko’s comments in the withdrawal of a common assault charge against former Tent City mayor Rutene “Lanz” Priestley immediately prompted NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman to order a transcript and request urgent advice from the Justice Department.

Priestley, who led last year’s homeless sit-in in Martin Place, had been charged with assaulting his then partner Nina Wilson during a heated argument over a game of Uno last September when he grabbed Ms Wilson’s arm and pulled her from a lounge to cushions on the floor.

Magistrate Barko said Priestley’s alleged conduct was “at the lower end of the scale”.

“I daresay that sort of pushing and pulling goes on in every second household in NSW every second day, most of which does not see the light of day in court. That does not try to ­demean domestic violence which is abhorrent,” he said.

But he had harsh words for Ms Wilson after accepting the withdrawal of the charge because of her failure to attend court.

“She’s just slapping the court in the face, as so many domestic violence victims do. It seems unfortunately the great bulk of these matters end up this way.”

Mr Barko accused her of misusing police resources. “(It) seems to have been a childish argument which unfortunately resulted in some physical altercation and the police, as is so often the case, was simply used ... to intervene and it would appear that the complainant’s taken no interest in the proceedings thereafter.”

Mr Speakman last night told The Daily Telegraph magistrates should take family violence seriously.

“All forms of domestic ­violence are abhorrent and there is no place in modern life for language that legitimises or is perceived to legitimise its all too frequent occurrence,” he said

Domestic violence advocates criticised Magistrate Barko, saying his remarks were inappropriate for a member of the judiciary.

We live in a culture where victims of domestic violence are still blamed. Unfortunately that also pervades the legal part of the system too,”

Domestic Violence NSW CEO Moo Baulch said. “It’s a really unfortunate comment to make, that doesn’t seem an appropriate message to be giving out about relationships whether they are abusive or not.”

Anti-DV group White Ribbon lists pushing as a form of physical abuse.

Mr Barko was appointed to the bench in 2012, after a career as a barrister during which he was honorary counsel for the Sydney Roosters.



I do think its high time those who take out these court orders... who do not show up or follow through were faced with a fine..

how much would this have cost not only in money but wasted time......all for what????....

to me it is lowering the real meaning of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.....