DV back in the spotlight following progress report into the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children

The progress of state and federal government in ending violence against women and children will be put under the spotlight this week.

Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin is set to table her inaugural annual report into the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children on Wednesday, which will signal key areas of consideration for the government.

The report will highlight the need to help resource-strapped and overwhelmed services and systems, plus call for the government to ensure men are engaged in every aspect of ending violence, including efforts to redefine masculinity.

This includes more trauma-informed intervention options for men who either use violence, or are at risk of using violence.

It will also call for national leadership into boosting the capability of the many sectors which tackle addressing domestic, family and sexual violence, while highlighting the need prioritise specialist services.

Ms Cronin, who will also address the National Press Club on Wednesday, also emphasised the critical role of people with lived experience in forming and executing government policies to tackle domestic violence.

“The wisdom, courage, and compassion of lived experience advocates across the country – sharing their stories so that in their words, ‘no one else has to experience what I have experienced’ – drives my passion to work towards the National Plan goal – to end gender-based violence,” she said.

Following the tabling of the report, an expert panel tasked with conducting a rapid review into preventing violence against women and children will also deliver its final report, slated to be published on Friday.

The panel, was announced by Prime Minister Anthony in May following the death of 28-year-old NSW woman Molly Ticehurst, who was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend Daniel Billings.

The case remains before the courts and Mr Billings has been charged with her murder as week as contravening an apprehended domestic violence order and failing to comply with bail conditions.

While Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth acknowledged the government’s $3.4bn to support women’s safety, and the roll out of 85 initiatives to support the National Plan, she said both states and the Commonwealth government had “more to do to” to end violence against women and children in one generation.

“Family and domestic violence destroys lives – it must end,” she said.

“We are working every day under the National Plan, which is our comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy with states and territories to end violence against women and children in one generation.”

Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Justine Elliot, who will deliver a statement of significant matter to the parliament on Wednesday morning, also acknowledged the “bravery and dedication” of victim-survivors, as well as the work of the commission and community groups.

“Everyone has a part to play in ending gender-based violence,” she said.

“We should be proud of the work that has been done to end gender-based violence in Australia to date, work done over many years by so many community services, frontline workers and advocates, and of course acknowledge that today’s report presents a vital opportunity for continued action, improvement, and development.”

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