Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
On this day each year, communities across the world also begin 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, seeking to inspire action to end violence against women and girls around.
Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, calls on the Canberra community to get on board, unite in orange, and make our community safe for all.
“Gendered violence is an epidemic, and it takes a whole-of-community approach from the ground up to create long-lasting change,” she said.
“Concerningly, we know that during the pandemic, many women experienced violence from their partners for the first time.
“The next 16 days provide an opportunity for the Canberra community to take a stand and share the message that violence against women in any form is not OK. I encourage Canberrans to start conversations about gender-based violence with your family and friends. Learn more about the facts and what you can do to help. Let’s make gender-based violence a thing of the past.”
With support from sector and union advocates, Ms Berry wrote to Senator Michaelia Cash, Australian Government Minister for Industrial Relations, calling once again for 10 days of paid domestic and family violence leave to be included in the National Employment Standards.
“Domestic and family violence is a workplace issue; it can happen to anyone,” Ms Berry said. “It impacts all aspects of society, and needs to be publicly acknowledged, rather than kept hidden.”
The ACT Government introduced 20 days of paid leave for domestic and family violence purposes as a formal entitlement in ACT Government enterprise agreements.
To this end, Ms Berry expressed support for the We Won’t Wait campaign run by Australian Unions, which calls for a minimum of ten days of paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave to be included in national workplace laws to help women escape violent situations.
Ms Berry said the ACT Government was committed to preventing and responding to gender-based violence, and had funded and implemented projects to tackle this issue.
In the 2021-22 Budget, the Government invested $46.5 million over four years through the Safer Families Levy and complementary initiatives to expand the ACT Government’s evidence-based approach to addressing domestic and family violence, including:
• Family-centred responses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families affected by family violence
• Reducing the risk of deaths from family violence
• Extending the Room4Change program to help prevent family violence
• Training ACT Government workers to recognise and respond to domestic and family violence, and supporting any staff members affected by domestic and family violence
• ACT Women’s Safety Grants to support innovative projects
• Establishing the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program working groups and steering committee to focus on prevention, response, law reform, and workplace safety.
In the 2021-22 Budget, the ACT Government allocated an additional $8.6 million over four years to expand homelessness services, including to support women and children escaping family violence.
If you are experiencing domestic and family violence – you can reach out for help.
Call the Domestic Violence Crisis Service on 6280 0900 – or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
