Government reveals trillion-dollar aid package for women experiencing domestic violence

by CHRISTINE LAI

The government has revealed a comprehensive package allocating almost $1 billion to provide financial support for women leaving violent relationships. Under the ‘leaving violence’ payment scheme, women seeking refuge from violent domestic situations will have access to financial support amounting to $5,000.

The introduction of these initiatives follows widespread public concern regarding violence against women, reflecting an urgent requirement for comprehensive support and intervention for survivors of abuse.

Violence against women remains deeply entrenched within Australian society. It can manifest as domestic violence, family violence, intimate partner violence, coercive control, online abuse, stalking, workplace sexual harassment, street harassment, and sexual assault.

Concerning Statistics: Sexual Assaults and Intimate Partner Homicides

A report by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) in 2023 revealed a concerning figure, documenting 7764 incidents of sexual assault between January 2022 and December 2022 alone.

Findings from the 2022 report by The National Homicide Monitoring Program indicate that in 2019-20, there were 45 intimate partner homicides, with females accounting for 80% of the victims. This averages to approximately one woman being killed by an intimate partner every 10 days, as outlined in the Plan 4 Women’s Safety 2022.

The newly launched ‘Leaving Violence Program’ has been allocated $925.2 million over the span of five years, with the primary objective of equipping individuals with the necessary resources and support to navigate the process of leaving abusive relationships.

This initiative marks the permanent continuation of the highly effective Escaping Violence Program trial, which has been in operation since 2021. Since its inception, over 45,000 Australians have benefited from the EVP payment, highlighting the program’s widespread impact.

80 percent of recipients from the EVP were self-referrals, emphasizing the critical role of this program in reaching individuals who may have otherwise struggled to access support services.

PM Calls for Action Against Violence Towards Women

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese branded the severity of violence against women as a “national crisis.”

“Violence against women is a national shame. Every time a woman loses her life at the hands of a man, it is a death that is one too many and we know this is an issue that warrants our focused and serious attention,” he said in a statement.

The PM has recently come under fire and been accused of lying “on a national scale” about being denied permission to address a rally. During the ‘No More’ rally in Canberra on Sunday, Albanese claimed that he and Minister for Women Katy Gallagher asked to speak but were denied by event organisers.

Rally organizers from the non-profit group “What Were You Wearing,” led by Sarah Williams, called it a “flat-out lie.”

“Our Prime Minister just flat-out lied on a national scale in front of the whole country.

Albanese dismissed the allegations stating, it was an “emotional day” for people.

“I’m focused on the issue… It was an emotional day for people, and I get that, on what is an emotional issue. Because women were saying yesterday, enough is enough”, he told Channel Nine’s Today Programme.

Government Launches Leaving Violence Program for Victims

The government has expressed their commitment to strengthening accountability and consequences for perpetrators of violence, including early intervention with high-risk individuals and repeat offenders, alongside providing enhanced support for victim-survivors.

“Research has shown us that financial barriers can be a huge impediment to victim-survivors breaking free of a violent relationship and we are determined to reduce those barriers along with providing other supports to assist those fleeing violence,” Albanese added.

The Leaving Violence Program is set to offer eligible victim-survivors a financial assistance package comprising up to $1,500 in cash and up to $3,500 in goods and services.

Recipients will also receive assistance in safety planning, risk assessment, and referrals to essential services for a duration of up to 12 weeks.

The payment amount will be indexed annually to keep pace with the increasing cost of living. The Leaving Violence Program is scheduled to begin in mid-2025.

Existing Initiatives Tackling Violence Against Women

National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children (2022-2032)

This strategic plan, supported by the Commonwealth, state, and territory governments, outlines a commitment to a decade of action, resources, and partnerships aimed at preventing violence against women throughout Australia.

Our Watch

Our Watch is an independent, not for profit organization established to drive nationwide change in culture, behaviors and power imbalances to prevent violence against women and their children. It is a key initiative under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.

Australia’s National Research Organization for Women’s Safety (ANROWS)

Australia’s National Research Organization for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) is a not-for-profit independent national research organization, established to assist in applying evidence for policy and practice addressing violence against women. Its efforts align closely with the objectives outlined in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.

For immediate assistance and support regarding domestic, family, or sexual violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Service: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732.