Assault course for judges

SYDNEY (AFP) - Judges and magistrates are to be sent on courses to teach them how to improve their attitude to female victims of violence, the Australian Prime Minister, Paul Keating, announced yesterday.

The courses are part of a national effort to counter what women say is an increasing incidence of domestic and sexual violence against them and what is described as the 'archaic' attitudes of judges who condone it.

Last month, judge Derek Bollen of the South Australian Supreme Court said during a trial that there was nothing wrong with 'rougher than usual handling' by a man whose wife refused him sex.

'It is intolerable that women should continue to suffer prejudice or injustice of this kind in our courts or anywhere else,' said Mr Keating yesterday.