THE Commonwealth, state and territory governments have released the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children (2022-2032).
The national plan, the culmination of two years of extensive consultation with a range of experts and people with lived experience, is a comprehensive statement that aims to end gender-based violence in one generation.
Full Stop Australia chief executive, Hayley Foster, said this was an ambitious strategy, but violence against women and children was not inevitable.
By addressing gender inequality and other forms of discrimination and inequality, national aspirations were achievable, she said.
“The epidemic of violence against women in this country is a national crisis. We now have the opportunity to stem the flow, turn the tide and ensure that our next generation of women and girls live their lives free from violence,” Ms Foster said.
“It is a comprehensive statement about gender-based violence in this country and what is needed to address it.”
Ms Foster said importantly, unlike the first plan, it addressed victim-survivor recovery and healing, and action holding people to account who used violence and abuse in all settings.
The national plan seeks to stop the violence before it starts, underpinned by six principles: advancing gender equality; working with victim-survivors to develop policies and solutions; closing the Gap; person-centred co-ordination and integration; intersectionality; and holding to account people who choose to use violence.
The plan recognises the critical role that all parts of society, including business and industry, schools and universities, media, sporting clubs and faith-based organisations need to play, working together, to end gender-based violence.
It recognises that structural change is needed to improve access to housing and income support for people affected by violence, and to improve our legal systems.
The national plan is also integrated with other strategies to ensure policy settings are pulling in the same direction.
“The aim of the plan – to end gender-based violence in one generation – is an ambitious one, but we should not tolerate any less,” Ms Foster said.
Call the National Violence and Abuse Trauma Counselling and Recovery Service on 1800 FULL STOP (1800 385 578) or chat online at www.fullstop.org.au for 24/7, free, confidential counselling.
