As recent tragedies in Western Australia have so starkly reminded us, family and domestic violence recognises no social, economic or cultural barriers. But while it is indiscriminate, it is not inevitable.
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, I want to reiterate my Government’s commitment to ending violence against women and children.
There is no time to waste.
If we are to end violence, we have to be able to measure it. Accurate, verified, closer to real-time data is critical because it gives police, governments and policymakers a better chance of coming to grips with the scale and detail of the issue.
Today, my Government announced a new statistical dashboard that will give access to quarterly reporting on intimate partner homicide.
For a number of years the crucial work of counting these deaths has been done by advocates and researchers. This work makes sure the women whose lives are tragically lost are remembered and shines a light on the scourge of family and domestic violence. It helps drive action to end the violence.
I’m proud my government will now take a leading role in gathering this information.
It is the latest part of my Government’s concerted efforts to confront violence against women and children. And at every step of the way, we have backed our words with action.
Crucially, it is not a responsibility borne by just one minister – we are taking a whole-of-government approach. Every minister in this Government is working through their respective portfolios to address and end family, domestic and sexual violence where they can.
In the first year of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, my Government has secured state and territory agreement to how the National Plan will be implemented and is working to provide national leadership.
This included launching the First Action Plan, a dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan, and establishing six ambitious targets to hold all governments to account for progress under the National Plan.
We’re taking immediate and practical steps to support victims of family and domestic violence, including a record $2.3 billion investment.
We have fixed the Escaping Violence Payment, reducing the time it takes victim-survivors to access support by 22 days. The difference this will make for some victim-survivors will be immeasurable.
We extended funding for states and territories to deliver frontline services – this was funding that was due to cease at the end of June this year.
We are delivering our commitment of new front line and community sector workers to support victim-survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence, with funding to support the first group of workers now flowing to all states and territories.
We made it law that all employees, including casuals, have access to 10 paid days of family and domestic violence leave – because no one should have to choose between their physical and mental safety and their financial security.
And we will hold perpetrators to account through the development of a national perpetrator risk assessment framework that identifies risks posed by perpetrators and supports earlier intervention.
Crucially, my Government has made family law reform a priority. It is vital that we make the family law system simpler and safer for anyone fleeing family violence. And we’re looking at how we can improve the way the justice system works for victims of sexual assault.
We know that financial independence is an important element ensuring women can leave violent situations. We have put women’s economic security at the heart of our economic agenda, working hard to close the gender pay gap, expanding paid parental leave and making child care cheaper. Women’s workforce participation is at a record high.
We have achieved a lot in our first 18 months, while remaining deeply aware that there is a long way to go.
It isn’t just the job of governments. Changing the attitudes that entrench inequality and discrimination, and objectify women and disregard consent, is everyone’s responsibility.
Men in particular have to step up. And male leaders have an opportunity to champion change, and create the conditions that prevent violence, abuse, discrimination and harassment.
One life lost to intimate partner homicide is too many. But this year, as with every year, it has been one life lost after another.
I thank The West Australian for keeping this issue in the spotlight. That’s exactly where it should stay until we’ve all made sure that it is gone for good.
This opinion piece was first published in the West Australian on Saturday, 25 November 2023.