The council determined that services for domestic violence victims are largely a result of the women's movement and that domestic violence is a widespread phenomenon in Australian society. The first stage of the council's inquiry involved making contact with appropriate government and other social agencies and identifying services available to victims of violent domestic behavior. Forums were subsequently organized to promote group discussion, improve communication between key players, promote attitude change, and facilitate group decisionmaking and creative problem-solving. The council found that family violence services in Victoria are provided by various government agencies, including the Attorney General's Department, the Family Violence Prevention Committee, the Victorian Court Information and Welfare Network, Community Services Victoria, the Victoria Health Department and Ministry of Housing, and the Victoria Police Force. The council also discovered that the legal system deals with domestic violence in various ways and that difficulties impeding effective service delivery concern availability and access, social and cultural factors, resources, staff skills and training, service coordination, and program evaluation and research. The council emphasizes the need for community education on family violence and for culturally sensitive policies and procedures that respond to victim needs. A brief description of specific issue papers prepared by the council is provided. References