Women’s Safety Ministers from around the nation, including WA’s Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, Simone McGurk, have joined together to launch the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032.
Ms McGurk said the National Plan set the agenda to end violence against women and children in one generation.
“It sets a clear direction for the next 10 years, and outlines what steps need to be taken to achieve it,” Ms McGurk said.
“Importantly, in recognition of the high rates of family and domestic violence affecting First Nations’ people, there will also be a standalone National Plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety.”
She said the WA Government was committed to working with the Commonwealth to address gender-based violence.
“The vision to end gender-based violence is an ambitious one, but if we are all pulling in the same direction, we can achieve it,” Ms McGurk said.
“Violence against women and children is not inevitable. We know what drives it, and to stop it we must advance gender equality and other forms of discrimination.”
She said the voices of victim-survivors were at the heart of the National Plan “and I thank those Western Australians who spoke up to share their experiences and expertise”.
“With the disproportionate impact of family violence on First Nations’ women and their children, I welcome the dedicated approach to Aboriginal family safety, as well recognition of the impact of sexual violence on women’s safety, wellbeing and economic independence,” the Minister said.
“It’s critical that we take a national and strategic approach to ending the scourge of family, domestic and sexual violence — women, no matter where they live in this country, deserve to be safe in their relationships, at home and where they learn and work.”
