Prevention of Violence Towards Women

Research indicates that intimate partner violence is responsible for more ill health and premature death among women aged under 45 than any of the better known risks, including high blood pressure, obesity and smoking.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one in three Australian women will report being a victim of physical violence and almost one in five will report being a victim of sexual violence in their lifetime.

Each year violence against women is estimated to cost the Australian economy more than $13 billion.

Significantly, domestic violence and sexual assault are now on the agenda of the Council of Australian Governments and so Ministers are working together on this issue. But there is so much more that could be done.

With considerable consultation and work by the establishment of a new COAG National Advisory Council, the Federal Government has produced a National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children which includes the $41.5 million Respectful Relationships programs, (some of which are delivered by schools), The Line campaign and various pilot projects like Victoria's "Stepping Out", all to help educate young people on ethical relationships. Together, criteria is being established which will represent the minimum standard for effective violence prevention and respectful relationships education in schools, (including the aim of inclusion in the national curriculum). Here is a more comprehensive report on the National Plan, for further information.

Recognising that education is key to violence prevention, appropriate support and responses to the victims of violence is also paramount and unions with employers have a clear role to play.

With the assistance of the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearing House, the ASU and Victoria's Surf Coast Shire have agreed on a groundbreaking clause entitling victims of domestic violence to 20 days paid leave each year to attend medical appointments, legal proceedings and other related events in recognition that employees sometimes face situations of violence or abuse in their personal life that may affect their attendance or performance at work. The Clearing House research, (funded under the Government's national plan) explains how a supportive employer can make a huge difference in allowing victims of violence to leave an abusive relationship and maintaining employmnet for economic independence which is critical.

Some AEU Branches and Associated Bodies are considering how to support victims of family violence through bargaining. This powerpoint presentation outlines some of the possible approaches and issues.

To build on the positive efforts regarding attitudinal change, there are also several advocates (like Associate Professor Moira Carmody, Dr Debbie Ollis and Nina Funnel) for health and human relationships curriculum to not only deal with violence and power within relationships but also about sexual boundaries and consent, and diverse sexualities.

While there is a national policy focus on health and human relationships curriculum, there is also the opportunity to improve the content of teenage sexual health, reproduction and parenting education which is one aim of the Australian Young Pregnant and Parenting Network's effort to ensure pregnant and parenting students maintain a link to education.

Violence prevention is about generational change and this is the opportunity for this generation to make the most of an effort to lay the foundations.

November 25th is White Ribbon Day the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Further Reading

The Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse

Safe at Home Safe at Work - domestic violence workplace rights and entitlements project website

Safe at Home, Safe at Work? National Domestic Violence and Workplace Survey (2011)

Information about the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their children

The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their children

White Ribbon Day

The Line

The Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearing House

Not 1 More

ASU to launch and celebrate Australian-first Family Violence clause at Surf Coast Shire

A Right to Resepct: Victoria's Plan to Prevent Violence against Women 2010-2020