Introduction
Violence against women is unacceptable and causes significant personal, social and economic costs for all in our community.
Around one-in-three Australian women experience physical violence and almost one-in-five experience sexual violence over their lifetime.
In addition, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women report higher levels of physical violence during their lifetime than do non-Aboriginal and non-Torres Strait Islander Australian women, and are much more likely to experience sexual violence and to sustain injury.
Similarly, women with a disability are more likely to experience partner or sexual violence, more severely and over a longer period of time, than women without a disability.
In May 2008, the Government established an 11 member National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children. The Council’s task was to provide advice on the development of an evidence-based National Plan. The Council, with the support of the Government, conducted significant eresearch to assess the existing evidence, the operation of the legal system and the economic cost of violence against women.
The Council also consulted with more than 2,000 Australians – survivors of violence; perpetrators of violence; educators; service providers; people living in rural and remote areas; members of indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse communities; women with disabilities; members of the judiciary; representatives of the State and Territory Governments and members of the public.
The Council developed five documents that were formally presented to the Government on 29 April 2009:
- Time for Action: The National Council’s Plan for Australia to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, 2009-2021
- A Snapshot to Time for Action
- Background Paper to Time for Action
- The Cost of Violence against Women and their Children
- Domestic Violence Laws in Australia