Australians invited to help shape a future for women free of violence

The Morrison Government has opened public consultation on the next National Plan to reduce family, domestic and sexual violence in Australia. 

From tonight, all Australians can add their views and voices to the consultation via an online questionnaire, available on the Engage website. 

Women who have experienced violence, family safety advocates, service providers and other stakeholders will also be invited to take part in a two-day National Women’s Safety Summit to be held on 29 and 30 July. 

The Summit was agreed as part of the establishment of the Taskforce on Women’s Safety in December last year. 

The summit will include keynote addresses, panel discussions and workshops focused on issues affecting women’s safety as well as a series of roundtables that will contribute insights and help determine priorities for the next National Plan. 

These roundtables will focus on issues including prevention of violence and sexual violence, online abuse, coercive control, policing and justice systems, respectful relationships, frontline service responses and violence experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the National Women’s Safety Summit is vital to build on the existing National Plan in a way that addresses evolving issues and protects women and children from the scourge of family, domestic and sexual violence. 

“Respect, dignity, choice, equality of opportunity and justice are fundamental to the safety of women in our country,” the Prime Minister said. 

“This Summit will further elevate the important national discussion we are having about women’s safety and ensure that we bring all people along with us as we develop the next National Plan,” the Prime Minister said. 

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Senator Marise Payne said consultation was vital to develop the successor to the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022 (the National Plan). 

“A new National Plan will start in 2022, providing an updated and forward-looking blueprint for preventing violence against women in Australia,” Minister Payne said. 

“We want to hear from all parts of the community to make sure the next National Plan draws on the best and most wide-ranging ideas. We intend to build a shared framework as we work together to reduce and prevent violence against women and children. 

“Consultation will involve listening to the diverse experiences of people affected by violence, including from regional, rural and remote areas, Indigenous communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and people with disability.” 

Minister for Families and Social Services and Minister for Women’s Safety Anne Ruston said people would be able to share their personal experiences in seeking and accessing support services, and will have the opportunity to make suggestions for targeted prevention and response measures. 

“Importantly, we want to hear your views on what has been done well to date, what could be improved, and any new and emerging issues that should be prioritised in the next National Plan,” Minister Ruston said. 

“We will also be consulting through virtual workshops and a National Plan Advisory Group, with key stakeholders from each state and territory. This will help us consult widely across a range of disciplines, including health, community services, legal services, housing, and children and family services.” 

For more information and details about how to participate in the consultation, visit engage.dss.gov.au. Public consultation through this forum is open until 31 July 2021.