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 research 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
Time for Action is an extensive report with findings that relate to the responsibilities of all governments and the community itself. Time for Action recommends that the Australian Government take leadership on a long-term plan to reduce violence against women. The report identifies six key outcome areas, and proposes strategies and actions in each area, and identifies 20 high-priority actions that require an urgent response.
In its initial response, the Government indicated it supports the overall direction of Time for Action and many of the recommended actions in the six outcome areas and announced a major funding program. The Australian Government is providing:
- $12.5 million for a new national telephone and online crisis service. The new service will be run by professional staff and make active referrals to follow up services. The new service will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- $26 million for primary prevention activities including $9 million to test and evaluate respectful relationships programs for high school age young people and an initial investment of $17 million for social marketing focused on changing attitudes and behaviours that contribute to violence.
- $3 million to support research on perpetrator treatment and the greater harmonisation of Federal and State/Territory laws.
- Leadership to establish a national scheme for the registration of domestic and family violence orders, improve the uptake of relevant coronial recommendations and identify the most effective methods to investigate and prosecute sexual assault cases. This work is being progressed through the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General.
- Funding for an expert advisory group (Violence against Women Advisory Group) to provide advice on reforms to reduce violence against women.
- The Prime Minister took the Council's report, Time for Action, to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to develop a national response. All State and Territory Governments have agreed to work towards a national approach.
- A new COAG Ministerial Council, with representation from all States and Territories and across the broad range of areas covered in the Council's report has been established and is developing an agreed National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children for COAG to release in mid 2010.
- Significantly, domestic violence and sexual assault are now on the agenda of COAG and all Governments are working together on this issue.