The Albanese Labor Government has today reinforced its commitment to ending violence against women at the inaugural Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Recovery and Healing Conference.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth and Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Justine Elliot, emphasised the essential role victim-survivors play in informing policies and solutions to ending gender-based violence.
“Each victim-survivor’s experience is unique and ensuring Government policies and services are trauma-informed, culturally safe and accessible is vital to creating effective solutions for preventing violence and supporting long term recovery,” Minister Rishworth said.
“I am proud that the our government has provided funding for the conference today, which brings together for the first time victim-survivors, professionals, academics, and policy makers to inform best practice.”
The Conference, hosted by the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre and the Australian Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Recovery Alliance, is underpinned by the theme ‘The Right to Recovery’, and aims to highlight the importance of trauma recovery and safe healing strategies to end gender-based violence in Australia.
Assistant Minister Elliot echoed that everyone has a role to play in supporting victim-survivors to rebuild their lives after abuse.
“I was privileged to speak at today’s conference, which was an excellent opportunity for us to come to together and exchange knowledge and ideas about how we can better integrate and invest in healing and recovery,” Assistant Minister Elliot said.
“As outlined in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032, recovery and healing are critical in helping to break the cycle of violence and reduce the risk of re-traumatisation.”
In recognition of the importance of effective trauma recovery services and supports, the Government announced $25 million in funding from 2022-23 to 2026-27 for the Illawarra Women's Health Centre, as part of the October 2022-23 Budget.
This investment will ensure continued recovery support for women in the Illawarra and surrounding area who have experienced family, domestic or sexual violence.
More information on the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 is available on the Department of Social Services website.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au