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Recent developments in Australia to reduce violence against

women

Libby Lloyd Chair : Australian Government Violence against

Women Advisory Group Former Chair: Australian National Council to

Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWAG)

Board Member : Australian White Ribbon Campaign

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Australian context

On current incidence rates, an estimated 750,000 Australian women will report being a victim of violence in 2021-2022

Most repeated figures are:1:3 victim of D+FV1:5 victim of sexual assault

If current incidence rates remain, the cost is predicted to be $15.6 billion by 2021-2022

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New Government Emphasis

In Nov 2007 a new Government was elected

Both the new Prime Minister and the Minister for the Status of Women placed a priority on reducing violence against women

Incoming election platform committed to take action

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Australian Government’s response to the problem of VAW

Prime Minister declared Government’s policy is one of a ‘zero tolerance’ towards violence

Prime Minister and Minister for the Status of Women set up the National Council to reduce Violence against Women and their Children

Asked Council for advice that was based on evidence of what works

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National Council’s ApproachDesktop ResearchNew ResearchNational Conversation – over 2,000

Australians right around the country 370 written submissions 300 interviews and on-line surveys 6 expert roundtables, including one with

judicial officials and lawyers and one with Indigenous leaders

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Council’s Report: Time for Action Time for Action: The National Council’s Plan for

Australia to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, 2009-2021 – April 2009 (5 documents)

Time for Action A Snapshot to Time for Action Background Paper to Time for Action The Cost of Violence against Women and their

Children An Analysis of Domestic Violence Laws in

Australia

• Government’s Response

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Council’s Report to 2021Outline of Time for Action

6 Outcome areas 11 Recommendations25 Strategies117 Actions to 202120 Priority actions for immediate

implementation

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Time for Action ‘Outcome’ areas

1. Communities are safe and free from violence

2. Relationships are respectful3. Services meet the needs of women and

their children4. Responses are just5. Perpetrators stop their violence6. Systems work together effectively

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Australian Government Initial Response to Time for ActionAgreed to implement, or agreed-in-principle to

take to COAG, 18 of Council’s 20 priority actions

Committed $42 million over 4 years to take forward priority actions: national online and 1800 24/7 expert service Respectful Relationships multi-layered social marketing campaign research programs New Violence against Women Advisory Group

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Major issues around the lawsMost relevant laws are State laws and these

differ widelyNo intention to harmonise laws across States

Prefer identify good practice and encourage change

In general laws themselves not a problem

Application of the law can be the main issue

A number of areas needed urgent attention

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Linked progress in legal reformCommonwealth and State Attorneys-General

agreed in April 2009:

Have a working group develop options for a national registration scheme for DV orders

Assess the impact of Coroners’ recommendations including on DV related deaths

Audit best practice in the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases

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Linked progress in legal reform cont

The Australian Government

Asked the Law Reform Commission to examine the interaction of Federal and State/Territory laws on safety of women & children (now underway)

Problems identified with Commonwealth laws are being addressed (e.g. shared parenting)

Will develop a multi-disciplinary training package for professionals working in the family law system

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Next Steps : COAG

Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has set up a special Ministerial Council on VAW

Represents All States and Territories Is developing a National Plan to Reduce

Violence against Women Prime Minister to take National Plan to COAG

in early 2010

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Importance of coordinated Government responseOutcome 6: Systems work effectively together

Need a whole of government approachChange needs to be coordinated by

governmentBreak down barriers to communicationWork effectively across government –

education, law, police, corrections, services etcEnsure what needs to happen happens – role

for community

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Where Australia is nowOpportunity for real progress

Still have to deal with complex issues and recognise one size does not fit all

All governments must work to reduce violence

Important role for NGOs

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Time for ActionThe National Plan to Reduce Violence Against

Women and Their Children

is available at

www.fahcsia.gov.au