Delegates to the National Summit on Women’s Safety have called on all Australians to confront the unacceptable scourge of family, domestic and sexual violence.
The delegates’ Summit Statement went further, urging people to come up with meaningful and constructive actions for change.
Minister for Women, Senator Marise Payne and Minister for Women’s Safety, Senator Anne Ruston thanked panelists, speakers and delegates for participating in the event as well as the Australians who joined the national conversation.
The summit produced a statement on behalf of all delegates outlining priorities to underpin the next National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children.
Senator Payne said the summit demonstrated that all levels of Government — business, educators, justice and front-line workers — were committed to long-term, continuous action to end all forms of gendered violence.
“The new national plan will pave the way to achieving our shared goal to end violence against women and children,” Senator Payne said.
“It will build on evidence and achievements from the current plan while addressing new and emerging issues such as technology-facilitated abuse and coercive control.”
She said the new plan must be targeted to the unique needs of communities affected by multiple forms of discrimination or inequality and would better address complex forms of violence and harmful cultural practices.
Senator Ruston said the summit’s statement brought together the key issues discussed across all panels and roundtables.
“The next national plan must turn your insights into practical action because lives depend on it,” Senator Ruston said.
“We all must come together and be united to achieve this goal. Politicians, business and community leaders and all Australians must accept we can do more and promise we will do more,” she said.
More information about the National Summit on Women’s Safety, including access to the 12-page Summit Statement, can be found at this PS News link.
