International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, it is important that all Australians consider how they can each drive real and lasting change to improve the safety of women and their children.

The Day’s 2020 theme, “Fund, respond, prevent, collect”, reflects the Morrison Government’s response to domestic violence, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, and our support to service providers.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, said the Government continued to make important strides to support women and children affected by domestic and family violence in what has been a challenging year.

“In late March, we announced a $150 million Domestic Violence Support Package to boost domestic, family and sexual violence support services at this critical time,” she said.

“This funding has ensured that essential services for survivors of violence have continued and expanded during the COVID-19 crisis. It also supports the collection of data that we will use in the future to improve vital services for women and their children.”

It is in addition to our efforts under Australia’s National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children, which includes a $340 million investment under the Fourth Action Plan.

Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator the Hon. Anne Ruston, today announced three Indigenous organisations would share $1.125 million over the next two years to trial new family violence services in the Northern Territory.

“The aim of the two-year trial is to improve and expand culturally appropriate services and supports specifically for Indigenous children and young people who have been impacted by family and domestic violence,” Minister Ruston said.

Tangentyere Council in Alice Springs, the Katherine West Health Board in Katherine and the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council in Aputula will deliver the services.

In May, Ministers Payne and Ruston proposed a Parliamentary Inquiry into Domestic and Family Violence, which is underway and will provide insights to inform the successor to the current National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children.

“The Government is absolutely committed to ending and preventing violence against women and their children and will continue to work with states, territories and communities to identify how we continue to work toward this important goal,” Minister Ruston said.