The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children

In a report released recently by the 11 member National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, The Time for Action: The National Council’s Plan for Australia to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2009-2021, attitudes to violence within the home against women and children have been the focus for new initiatives.

Although gender-based violence is condemned by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, an article in the Conversation reports that one in three Australian women will experience physical violence in their lifetime, while 23% to 28% will experience sexual or emotional harm.

The plan instituted by FACHSIA, states that while living safe and free from violence is everyone’s right, reducing violence is everyone’s responsibility. It is is unprecedented in the way it focuses on preventing violence by raising awareness and building respectful relationships in the next generation.

As the Conversation article states, "Research has identified men’s and boys' attitudes around gender roles as a key social determinant of violence against women. This research found that men who hold sexually hostile, sexist, or patriarchal attitudes are much more likely to assault women, and that violence-supportive peer cultures are also a major risk factor.

This is where the private becomes public – men and boys don’t develop these views in isolation. Communities can and must support boys in developing positive attitudes toward women and equip them with better ways of dealing with conflict. Men and boys are also impacted by the violence against women around them, so education will clearly benefit society as a whole."

Most states have criminalised actions in regards to domestic violence but it is yet to be seen if inroads can be made into attitudes regarding domestic violence.

To keep up to date with any changes to domestic violence laws why not trial our LawOne Service which provides over 70, 000 links to cases discussing legislative provisions – just one of the features of the premium legal product on the market today.