Domestic violence groups have backed the federal government’s latest plan to combat the problem as a sign of progress but say significant work remains to seize the chance for generational change.
The release of the next 10-year draft strategy marks the government’s response to widespread calls for more ambitious policy action made during a
But advocates remain cautious, adding the success of the plan will ultimately hinge on how it helps determine the flow of $1.1 billion in promised budget spending against domestic violence.
“It is a once in a generation opportunity we have to grab it with both hands and see it through to its conclusion,” Full Stop Australia CEO Hayley Foster said.
The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 released on Friday emphasises the government’s ambition to drive family and sexual violence to zero.
It will be underpinned by four foundation principles of gender inequality, intersectionality, the experience of victim-survivors informing policies and solutions, and Closing the Gap.
The draft plan also outlines four national pillars to prioritise actions and targets including via prevention, early intervention, response and recovery.
Social Service Minister Anne Ruston said the government was committed to listening to the voices and experiences of victim-survivors to inform the policy response.
“We must recognise how race, age, disability, culture, gender, including gender identity, sexuality amongst others forms of identity, intersect and impact on this lived experience,” she said.
“To succeed we must listen, engage and be informed by diverse lived experiences which is why we are committed to ongoing engagement with victim-survivors.”
The draft plan also includes a new federal commission to advise the government on how to address the problem and assess the effectiveness of policy measures.
This will involve the Commonwealth and state and territories developing targets to monitor the outcomes across areas of focus and evaluate responses.
Ms Foster said maintaining this accountability would be critical towards ensuring the ambitions outlined in the plan can be turned into reality.
“We need to be really clear about what are our targets, what are we committing to funding, who is responsible and what are the timelines that we are going to try to achieve those targets,” she said.
The ten-year National Plan will be underpinned by five-year action plans, including dedicated five-year Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plans.
Our Watch chief executive Patty Kinnersly - whose group focuses on prevention - welcomed the plan’s focus on recognising gender inequality as the key to ending violence against women.
“We know if we are going to actually make change in the rates of violence over the long term we have to change the things that are driving the violence,” she said.
"For me this is a plan of doing - it doesn’t matter who you are, you can contribute to a community where violence against women is not acceptable."
Ms Kinnersly said the plan also marked progress for its stronger recognition of how gender inequality can intersect with forms of discrimination and disadvantage that can marginalise people.
“As a result we bring more people along and we are making sure we address all of the things that are driving all violence against all women,” she said.
The National Plan also highlights the need to move towards “clear and consistent” national definitions of forms of domestic violence such as coercive control and consent.
It recognises there is an epidemic of violence against women in Australia, including data showing that one in four women has experienced intimate partner violence and one in two sexual harassment.
The plan also stresses the unique challenges faced by children as victims.
The government promised $1.1 billion for women’s safety in the budget last May after debate intensified over concerns around the treatment of women following marches held across the country calling for action.
If you or someone you know is impacted by family and domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit . In an emergency, call 000.
The Men’s Referral Service provides advice for men on domestic violence and can be contacted on 1300 766 491.
