The Escalating Crisis of Violence Against Women in Australia
In April, tens of thousands of people participated in marches across Australia to protest gender-based violence, sparked by the increasing number of women being killed. The issue of violence against women was labeled as an “epidemic” and a “national crisis”, dominating media and political discussions for weeks.
In response to the escalating crisis, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced additional funding of $1.1 billion over five years towards the Leaving Violence program, aimed at supporting individuals leaving abusive relationships. Following this, in September, the National Cabinet agreed on a comprehensive plan to prevent gender-based violence, including increased funding for frontline legal services and enhanced responses to violence.
The Alarming Statistics
- Destroy the Joint’s project reported 64 women were violently killed in 2023.
- Counting Dead Women recorded 62 women violently killed in 2024 with seven weeks remaining, averaging 1.37 deaths per week, up from last year’s average of 1.2.
Patty Kinnersly, CEO of Our Watch, expressed deep concern over the devastating year for women allegedly killed by men, particularly highlighting the impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
‘Women are slipping through’
Femicide researcher and journalist Sherele Moody’s research revealed that 81 Australian women have been killed in 2024, compared to 75 in 2023. Moody emphasized the urgent need for more resources and funding to address the escalating crisis, noting that the number of deaths has been increasing annually.
Moody stressed the importance of men actively participating in finding solutions, as the majority of violence against women is committed by men. She urged for a collaborative effort to address the root causes of violence against women.
Kinnersly highlighted the role of community attitudes and harmful masculinity in perpetuating violence against women, emphasizing the need to address underlying gender stereotypes and inequality.
Government Initiatives and Response
Following the National Cabinet meetings, significant funding packages were announced, including $3.9 billion over five years for frontline legal services and a national partnership agreement on family, domestic, and sexual violence responses. The government also committed to developing a new risk assessment framework and national standards for men’s behavior change.
Despite these initiatives, experts like Moody emphasize the need for a critical review of current strategies and a more inclusive approach involving survivors, experts, and frontline workers to develop more effective solutions to combat violence against women.
Conclusion
The crisis of violence against women in Australia continues to escalate, despite increased awareness, funding, and government initiatives. It is imperative for policymakers, communities, and individuals to work together to address the root causes of gender-based violence and create a safer environment for all women.
FAQs
What is the government doing about violence against women?
The government has introduced various funding packages and initiatives to combat violence against women, including increased support for victim-survivors, interventions to address online misogyny, and the development of new prevention strategies. However, experts emphasize the need for a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to effectively tackle the crisis.