Media Release by The Hon Julie Collins MP

Violence Against Women: Vital Research to Stop Repeat Offending

The Federal Labor Government will invest $3 million to support vital research looking at ways to prevent perpetrators of violence against women from reoffending.

Minister for the Status of Women, Julie Collins, said the new work is part of the implementation of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.

“We want to know the best way to prevent perpetrators from reoffending and there’s limited information available on what is effective-in Australia and internationally,” Ms Collins said.

“This research will be carried out through the National Centre of Excellence and will be funded with $3 million over three years from this Labor Government.

“It will go towards building the evidence base for perpetrator interventions to help prevent repeat offending and ultimately reduce violence against women.

“Part of the research will involve developing national outcome standards for perpetrator interventions through consultation with relevant stakeholders and experts, for agreement later this year.

“The consultations will involve sector experts, law and justice officials, academics and, if possible, former perpetrators.

“Some states and territories already have operational standards in place and we will draw on their experiences.”

Ms Collins said the Australian Government will provide a share of a $4 million one-off reward payment to states and territories once they agree to adopt the final agreed national outcome standards in their respective jurisdiction.

“This funding will assist to implement the national outcome standards,” Ms Collins said.

“This Labor Government is committed to preventing violence against women and their children,” Ms Collins said.

“This investment is part of more than $86 million Labor is investing in national initiatives to improve the lives of women who have experienced violence and to stop violence from happening in the first place.”