Costs Of Domestic Violence

National Stop Domestic Violence Day (April 26) provides the opportunity to highlight the issues of domestic and family violence, said Senator Patterson, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women.

“I am pleased to announce the funding of $128,000 for a national study of the costs of domestic violence to the Australian community is being undertaken,” Senator Patterson said.

The object of the study is to get an accurate and comprehensive estimation of the direct and indirect costs of domestic violence to the community. This will include the social costs of domestic violence, as well as the cost to the business sector, the government and the economy.

“Gathering information is paramount to developing and evaluating policies and programmes related to women’s experience of violence and to the prevention of violence against women,” Senator Patterson said.

“The effects of domestic violence are widespread, yet there is little national data on this issue. Violence against women devastates the lives of children, individuals, and families and is not restricted to any particular race, community or socio-economic group.”

Senator Kay Patterson said the Australian Government is committed to addressing the issue of domestic violence.

“The Partnerships Against Domestic Violence initiative continues to gather knowledge and find better ways of preventing and addressing domestic and family violence in the community,” Senator Patterson said.

To date, there have been more than 230 projects funded at the local, regional and national level through Partnerships Against Domestic Violence.

Senator Patterson said she was looking forward to launching the Australian Government’s National Campaign on the Elimination of Violence Against Women in the near future.