The Federal Government has, for the first time, set targets for ending violence against women and children.

The new five-year plan, unveiled by Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth, strives to reduce the number of women falling victim to intimate partner violence by 25 per cent annually.

The newly introduced National Plan to End Family Domestic Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032 marks a significant stride towards eradicating the disturbing prevalence of gender-based violence. 

“No woman or child should live in fear from violence,” Rishworth says. 

“No woman or child should have their lives terrorised by someone who professed to love and care for them. No woman or child should have their lives ended prematurely due to that violence.”

Statistics from anti-violence group Destroy the Joint suggest that 57 women fell victim to violence in Australia in 2022. That number already hit 34 by August 2023. 

Analysis by the Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that one in four women have faced emotional abuse from partners since the age of 15. 

Alarmingly, over half of these women report experiencing physical and/or sexual violence from the same partners. 

Additionally, women subjected to intimate partner violence are twice as likely to suffer mental health disorders, and only approximately 22 per cent attain full recovery even after a decade.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, the challenge is even graver, as the murder rate among Indigenous women is eight times higher compared to non-Indigenous women. 

The government has also taken a notable stride in this aspect, announcing the establishment of a national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family safety, aimed at combating the disproportionately high rates of violence against Indigenous women.

The establishment of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men's advisory body and a comprehensive three-year action plan aligned with Closing the Gap targets further underscores the government's commitment to addressing these concerns. 

The broader plan entails multifaceted actions, including enhancing community awareness of violence against women, transforming attitudes, bolstering police responses, ensuring safe housing for victims, and fostering corporate responsibility in preventing violence.

With an unprecedented commitment of $2.3 billion spanning the 2022-23 and 2023-24 budgets, the government's pledge to address women's safety and support the execution of the Action Plans stands out. 

Yet, experts have underlined that the magnitude of the crisis demands increased funding at the Commonwealth, state, and territory levels.

More information on the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 is available on the Department of Social Services website.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au

No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au.