Marcia Langton co-authors study into domestic violence in Albury-Wodonga

The report from Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety investigated the experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strainer Islander women in the communities of Albury-Wodonga and Mildura on the NSW-Victorian border.

The report estimated up to 90 per cent of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strain Islander woman goes unreported, in part due to the women's fears children will be removed or they will be isolated from their community.

The study also found there was an "urgent need" for more emergency and long-term accommodation in Albury-Wodonga.

In 2017, a national domestic violence order scheme was created so restraining orders obtained in any state were automatically applied in all other jurisdictions in Australia.

But despite this, the report found perpetrators of violence can still purposefully exploit the lack of uniformity across state legislation to "inflict further harm" on victims.

"The cross-border context provides unique opportunities for perpetrators of violence to weaponise systems," it stated.

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In one case study, a legal service provider described how her client obtained protection orders in Victoria, only for her ex-partner to make applications against her in Albury Court and refuse to return their children.

Despite having the Victorian order, the case study stated police did not check whether a Victorian order was in place and the woman had to go to court to defend herself.

Living in a cross-border region also makes reporting violence more complex.

"It can mean navigating two systems - and the duplication of proceedings - which can cause confusion, uncertainty, delays and extra costs, jeopardising the safety of people affected by family violence," the report stated.

"The impact of engaging with different courts that require victims/survivors to re-tell their story and re-justify their position can further entrench trauma."

Report authors Marcia Langton and Kristen Smith said the the lack of uniformity in state-based domestic and family violence legislation needed to be addressed to prevent breaches of violence orders.

Further, they call for the simplifying of the state and federal systems to reduce confusion and improve outcomes for victims in cross-border regions.

The report also recommended services introduce a "no wrong door approach" to ensure woman and children are eligible for services in both states.