National Evaluation of the LEAA Family Violence Demonstration Program in Five Sites in the United States, 1980-1981

For more than half a century, Australian states and territories have criminalised the distinct offence of inciting another person to commit suicide. The maximum penalties for these offences vary and require the accused to have intended that the victim would commit suicide. In contrast, the offence of involuntary manslaughter does not require such an intention. Instead, a charge of manslaughter requires that the accused acted in a conscious and voluntary way that caused the victim’s death, and that their conduct was either criminally negligent or unlawful and dangerous. Drawing on cases from the United States and United Kingdom, this article suggests that in appropriate circumstances in Australia, especially in the context of family violence, offenders should be held criminally liable for manslaughter if they cause another person to commit suicide.

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Family Violence in Immigrant Communities in the United States

Greenwich Social Work Review ◽

10.21100/gswr.v1i2.1161 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 84-96

Author(s):

Abha Rai ◽

Susan F. Grossman ◽

Nathan H. Perkins

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Social Work ◽

Family Violence ◽

Immigrant Families ◽

The United States ◽

Immigrant Communities ◽

The Family ◽

Employment Guarantee ◽

The Impact ◽

The U.S

The COVID-19 pandemic has threatening implications for all individuals; and has been particularly unsettling for immigrants. Given their unique positionality in the U.S., the intersectional discussion about the impact of this pandemic on immigrants and issues of family violence is salient. The position of some groups of immigrant women is even more precarious due to the increased dependency on their spouse/partner for emotional, economic and immigration-related reasons. While immigrants have been on the frontlines as responders for COVID-19, there are limited policies that provide them with healthcare, employment guarantee, or benefits. Further, the immigration restrictions created by the U.S. Government have worsened the position of immigrants. All these stressors create unprecedented challenges for immigrants. Therefore, it is vital to delve into the family dynamics, unique challenges, and potential solutions that can provide support to immigrant families. This commentary highlights the atypical challenges of immigrants in relation to the pandemic and how these challenges may impact the incidence of family violence. Through our discussion, we hope to encourage social work scholars, practitioners, and policy advocates to support and advocate for immigrants; especially, during the new normal under the COVID-19 pandemic.

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