The ACT Government has released a 10-year strategy to tackle domestic, family and sexual violence in the ACT, backed by $3.6 million in budget funding, as frontline services warn of rising demand, increasing complexity, and escalating harm.
The ACT Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Strategy 2026–2036, released today with its first action plan,sets out a whole-of-government roadmap to prevent violence, improve responses, and strengthen accountability in the ACT.
Over the next three years, the government will establish a domestic, family and sexual violence sector network; an Information Sharing Coordinator; training for an updated Risk Assessment and Management Framework; and work by Women’s Health Matters on primary prevention infrastructure.
Tiffany Karlsson, CEO of the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre, said the strategy and plan “shine a spotlight on the scourge of sexual violence and highlight the need for sustainable investment in the specialist services that provide prevention, response, healing and recovery for victim-survivors”.
In the ACT, two in five women have experienced sexual violence, and more than a quarter of children are sexually abused – one in three girls and one in five boys, Ms Karlsson said.
“Sexual violence is one of the most widespread and underreported forms of violence in our community,” Ms Karlsson said.
“As a frontline service, we see trends as they emerge and what we are seeing is increasing demand, increasing complexity, and escalating sexual violence experienced by victim-survivors.”
42 per cent of women report experiencing physical and/or sexual violence since the age of 15, the government said. 61 per cent of LGBTIQA+ people experience intimate partner violence. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children suffer disproportionately high rates and severity of violence.
Dr Marisa Paterson MLA, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, said ending violence required “urgent, coordinated, and sustained action” across the whole community.
“Domestic, family, and sexual violence is a national crisis, impacting families and communities at unacceptable levels,” the government said. “This violence is highly gendered, with men responsible for the vast majority of violence against men, women, gender diverse people and children.”
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the strategy gave the ACT “a clear, unified direction” to prevent violence and better support victim survivors, with a focus on accountability and cultural change.
