Launch of Changing the Story

A framework to address the causes of violence against women and their children has been launched in Parliament House today.

Developed by Our Watch in partnership with Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) and the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), Changing the Story is the first framework of its kind in the world.

Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said while there is no single cause of violence against women and their children, current evidence shows it is more likely to occur where gender inequality is ingrained in society.

“To change the story that ends in violence, we must begin with gender equality and respect,” Minister Cash said.

Minister for Social Services, the Hon. Christian Porter MP, applauded the work of Our Watch, ANROWS and VicHealth in shedding light on the prevalence of violence against women and their children.

“It is a sobering fact that one in three women over the age of 15 experiences physical violence and one in five experiences sexual assault in their lifetime in Australia,” Mr Porter said.

“Violence against women and their children is completely contrary to the values of modern Australia.

“I thank Our Watch, ANROWS and VicHealth for their insights into the causes of this national epidemic.”

The framework is an initiative under the Second Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.

Under the national plan, governments are working with businesses and community organisations to make Australia a safer place for women and their children.

The Australian Government is contributing more than $100 million over four years to support the Second Action Plan. This is in addition to the $100 million Women’s Safety Package which focuses on practical immediate action to keep women and their children safe and $30 million for a national awareness campaign to change young people’s attitudes to violence.

“Reducing violence against women and their children is a national priority and I want 2015 to be the turning point in our response,” Minister Cash said.

“No sector of the community is immune from this form of violence, so we need the commitment of all Australians to address its root causes in the months and years ahead.”