1 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

2 Australian context On current incidence rates, an estimated 750,000 Australian women will report being a victim of violence in Most repeated figures are:  1:3 victim of D+FV  1:5 victim of sexual assault If current incidence rates remain, the cost is predicted to be $15.6 billion by

3 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

4 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

5 National Council’s Approach Desktop Research New Research National 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

6 Council’s Report: Time for Action Time for Action: The National Council’s Plan for Australia to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, – 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

7 Council’s Report to 2021 Outline of Time for Action  6 Outcome areas  11 Recommendations  25 Strategies  117 Actions to 2021  20 Priority actions for immediate implementation

8 Time for Action ‘Outcome’ areas 1. Communities are safe and free from violence 2. Relationships are respectful 3. Services meet the needs of women and their children 4. Responses are just 5. Perpetrators stop their violence 6. Systems work together effectively

9 Australian Government Initial Response to Time for Action Agreed 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 /7 expert service  Respectful Relationships  multi-layered social marketing campaign  research programs  New Violence against Women Advisory Group

10 Major issues around the laws Most relevant laws are State laws and these differ widely No 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

11 Linked progress in legal reform Commonwealth 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

12 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

13 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

14 Importance of coordinated Government response Outcome 6: Systems work effectively together  Need a whole of government approach  Change needs to be coordinated by government  Break down barriers to communication  Work effectively across government – education, law, police, corrections, services etc  Ensure what needs to happen happens – role for community

15 Where Australia is now Opportunity 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

16 Time for Action The National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children is available at