Governments endorse National Plan to reduce violence against women and children

Australian Women’s Ministers today endorsed the development of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women at the Commonwealth, State, Territory & New Zealand Ministers’ Conference on the Status of Women in Brisbane.

This decision marks a new national consensus on tackling domestic violence and sexual assault – an issue that affects more than one in three Australian women.

The Rudd Government is honouring its election commitments having already set up a National Council and is now developing a National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children.

To reduce violence against women and children the Australian Government must take on a national leadership role.

Australians need to come together as a community to build a culture of zero tolerance to violence against women and children.

The physical and emotional effects of domestic violence are debilitating and can last a lifetime.

Governments cannot eliminate violence against women and children but we can work to reduce it.

The Australian Government is committed to ensuring the National Plan supports the significant work and investment already being undertaken by State and Territory Governments.

The Council will assist with the development and implementation of the National Plan by providing expert advice and direction to the Government to ensure evidence, best practice and innovation are properly considered.

The National Plan will enable all levels of government and the community to:

• better support victims of violence;
• ensure that the legal system is effective; and
• reduce violence for future generations.

The Council will present a draft of the National Plan to the Government at the end of the year.