Commonwealth must make serious commitment to tackling violence against women

Queensland’s Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer has called on the Commonwealth to back a commitment to tackling domestic and family violence, with serious long term funding.

Ms Farmer told a meeting of women’s safety ministers, held on the first day of the Council of Australian Governments Reducing Violence against Women and their Children Summit in Adelaide, that more was needed from the Morrison Government.

The meeting included Federal Minister Kelly O’Dwyer and her counterparts from other states.

Ms Farmer said that while there was a spirit of collaboration about tackling violence against women and children, the Commonwealth now needs to provide long term funding to address some key issues.

“I called on the Commonwealth to:

- provide long-term funding for a women’s safety package that addresses technology-based abuse, and for perpetrator programs;

-  provide paid domestic violence leave to Commonwealth public servants, just as we led the nation in providing it for Queensland Government employees; and

- funding for safe, stable and affordable housing – which we know is one of the key issues that stops a woman from leaving a violent home situation."

“That must include restoring support for rural and remote housing, which the Commonwealth withdrew this year, recognising that this is particularly critical for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.”

Ms Farmer said the two-day summit in Adelaide was an important part of the national fight against violence.

“COAG Summits like this are important because far too many women and girls continue to experience violence.

Tackling Sexual violence is emerging as one of the top priorities for the next national action plan, and it is a priority for the Palaszczuk government. 

“We know that one in five women over the age of 15 has experienced sexual violence, and one in six girls under the age of 15.

“The statistics are even more grave if you are a woman with a disability, with a 90 per cent chance of being sexually abused.”

Ms Farmer said around nine out of 10 women who experienced sexual assault by a man did not contact the police.

“The long term consequences of domestic and sexual violence on children are devastating,” she said.

“Sadly, these are too often the children who end up in our Child Safety and Youth Justice systems, which is why it is vital that we bring this issue out of the shadows and confront it head on.” 

ENDS

Media Contact: ​Ron Goodman ​0427 781 920