The Cost of Violence against women and their children 

5.1 Summary of findings

Table 11 summarises health costs in 2021-22 resulting from domestic violence

Without the Plan of Action interventions, the costs of health-related expenditure are estimated at $445 million in 2021-22. For every woman whose experience of violence is prevented as a result of the Plan of Action, $1,154 in health costs can be avoided. This equates to $45 million in reduced costs if levels

Category description

This category includes public and private health system costs associated with treating the effects of domestic violence, such as physical injuries, depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse and smoking. Access Economics estimated total health costs for female victims/survivors, perpetrators of violence ⁴⁸.

Cost and stakeholder breakdown

Without appropriate action to address violence against women and their children,

Table 12 summarises who will bear the cost of suffering associated with domestic

Without appropriate action to address violence against women and their children, health costs in 2021-22 will be borne primarily by federal and state/territory governments at $305 million (68 per cent). Victims/survivors will also bear

5.4 Plan of Action priorities

The Plan of Action advocates a range of actions that are designed to reduce

• The development and implementation of model codes of practice to ensure that there is consistency, transparency and accountability between sectors (health, community, legal) in delivering services that respond to sexual assault, domestic and family violence.
• The establishment of a professional national telephone and online crisis support service for anyone in Australia who has experienced, or is at risk of, sexual assault and/or domestic and family violence. The service should integrate and coordinate with existing services in all states and territories, offer professional counselling, provide information and referrals, use best practice technology, link with other 1800 numbers, have direct links with relevant local and state services, and provide professional supervision and advice to staff in services in isolated and remote areas.
• Develop a national evaluation approach to assess the effectiveness of service responses to women and their children who have experienced violence, including women with disabilities, living in a range of settings.
• To undertake research to better understand the range of responses needed by women who have experienced sexual assault and/or domestic and family violence, including women with disabilities living in a range of settings.
  

47. All figures are in 2007-08 dollars.
48. Access Economics, The Cost of Domestic Violence to the Australian Economy: Part I and Access Economics, The Cost of Domestic Violence to the Australian Economy: Part II, 2004, viewed December 2008, p. 34.
49. All figures are in 2007-08 dollars.