The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is calling on Federal, State and Territory Governments to commit resources towards ensuring the success of the new national plan to end gender-based violence.
In a joint statement, the National Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar, National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds, and Age Discrimination Commissioner Kay Patterson welcomed the new National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022 to 2032.
“It’s encouraging that all Australian Governments have backed the Plan and its ambitious target to end gender-based violence within a generation,” Commissioner Jenkins said.
“For this to succeed, all Governments will need to make significant investments in prevention and recovery strategies.”
Commissioner Hollonds said the Plan acknowledged children as victims of family and domestic violence in their own right.
However, she said more work needed to be done to ensure that the experiences of children were properly recognised and addressed – “particularly in light of emerging research about the lifelong negative effects of experiencing violence in childhood and the intergenerational nature of family violence”.
Commissioner Patterson pointed out that the impact of gender-based violence on older women, including homelessness, was often overlooked.
She said specific actions were required to address the consequences of violence against older women.
The Commissioners said the Plan, while positive in its aspirations, required ongoing work to ensure the development and implementation of specific, evidence-based action plans which addressed the many drivers and impacts of family and domestic violence.
“The Australian Human Rights Commission looks forward to supporting its implementation,” they said.
The 143-page National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children can be accessed at this PS News link.
