Government launches National Standards for the Primary Prevention of Sexual Assault through Education

The National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence (NASASV) has today taken an important step towards reducing violence against women in Australia with the release of the National Standards for the Primary Prevention of Sexual Assault through Education.

The Framework outlines six National Standards to assist in developing, implementing and evaluating educational programs which focus on primary prevention of sexual assault in Australia.

The Australian Government supported the project through a $625,000 grant.

“These National Standards will assist educators, challenge attitudes and behaviours that condone sexual assault,” , Tanya Plibersek said.

“The Government’s position on domestic violence and sexual assault is one of zero tolerance – one victim of violence is one too many.”

The National Standards call for an increased investment into prevention activities that work to stop violence before it happens.

The Government recently announced that it will invest $26 million for primary prevention activities as apart of an immediate response to the ‘Time for Action’ report prepared by the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children.

$9 million will be invested to improve the quality and uptake of respectful relationships programs for school age young people and $17 million for a public information campaign focused on changing attitudes and behaviours that contribute to violence.

The Australian Government is leading the development of a National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women.

The Plan will bring together the efforts of all levels of government, the non-government sector and the wider community.

The National Standards were launched in Sydney today at a joint meeting of the National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children and NSW Premier’s Council on Preventing Violence Against Women.