This International Women’s Day, the Albanese Labor Government is recognising and celebrating the achievements of women in Australia and across the world whilst also acknowledging more must be done to address women’s safety.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the 2024 theme Count Her In: Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress, calls on everyone to remove barriers to women’s success and help build a safer Australia.
“We are focussed on ending violence against women and children, and ensuring those impacted are able to access the support and recovery assistance they need to lead a safe and fulfilling life,” Minister Rishworth said.
“This is important to highlight on International Women’s Day, but also on all days as we progress towards our shared commitment of ending violence against women and children in one generation.”
One of the most recent initiatives launched by Government is the new 1800RESPECT SMS service channel, a more discreet and flexible way to contact the service for people who are unable to speak directly on the phone.
The SMS channel has already been used more than 1500 times since its commencement in November and most are first time users of 1800RESPECT.
This has complimented a suite of other investments, including legislating ten-days of paid Family and Domestic Violence leave to ensure workers experiencing family and domestic violence no longer have to choose between their safety and their pay.
“Providing paid leave to those affected by family and domestic violence is one way that we can help to save lives,” Minister Rishworth said.
Assistant Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Justine Elliot emphasised the importance of ensuring that services provided to people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, family, domestic or sexual violence cater to their specific needs and circumstances.
“We want to make sure that all women and young girls who need support have access to inclusive, accessible and immediate support, whenever and however they need it,” Assistant Minister Elliot said.
“The investment in a broad range of women’s safety initiatives reflects our ongoing commitment to ending gender-based violence within our community, so all people can live free from fear and violence.”
Through the 2022-23 and 2023-24 Budgets, the Government has committed $2.3 billion in initiatives to strengthen women’s safety, including taking immediate and practical steps to support victims of family and domestic violence:
- Investing $38.2 million to extend the support available through the Escaping Violence Payment trial and Temporary Visa Holders Experiencing Violence Pilot and significantly reducing the time it takes victim-survivors to access support.
- Delivering $159 million for states and territories to support the delivery of frontline family, domestic and sexual violence services.
- Delivering the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan 2023-2025 and developing a standalone First Nations National Plan to address the disproportionately high rates of violence First Nations women and children experience in Australia.
- $169.4 million for new frontline and community workers to support the sector in delivering family, domestic and sexual violence services.
- Investing $100 million in Safe Places Emergency Accommodation to assist women and children to access emergency accommodation in times of crisis.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.