Federal Government announces new $328 million package to fight domestic violence

Successful public health campaigns that helped tackle smoking, seatbelts and AIDS will be used as the model for a new fight to combat the scourge of domestic violence.

Eight women are hospitalised because of domestic violence every day.

Teachers, bosses, sporting clubs and community leaders will be used to combat family violence as part of a record multimillion-dollar offensive to curb the growing scourge.

A $328 million package, to be unveiled by the Morrison Government on Tuesday, will be modelled on previous public health campaigns that have tackled smoking, seatbelts and AIDS.

The push will move the focus to primary prevention and early intervention to stop violence at its source while continuing to provide support for victims and their families.

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Eight women are hospitalised because of domestic violence every day but there is no mandatory training for health professionals to help them identify victims or how to best offer support.

Grassroot social networks such as mothers groups, sporting clubs and churches will also be targeted to help people better recognise warning signs of abuse, while teachers and coaches will be encouraged to act on comments from children and be educated on what steps to take to intervene.

The latest package includes $82 million for frontline services, such as free training for health workers to identify and better support domestic violence victims, and the development of national standards for sexual assault responses.

Eight women are hospitalised because of domestic violence every day.

Another $80 million will go towards new or expanded emergency accommodation facilities for those escaping family and domestic violence, providing up to 450 safe places and assisting up to 6500 people a year.

More than $60 million will also beef-up the 1800 RESPECT support service, which has rapidly grown in scope as almost 100,000 Australians find the courage to seek help and advice by picking up the phone.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government’s first priority was to keep Australians safe.

“To stop violence against women, we need to counter the culture of disrespect towards women,” he said.

Minister for Women Kelly O’Dwyer with Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: AAP

Mr Morrison said a “game-changer” would be Australia’s first prevention hub, which would strategically co-ordinate with experts to identify a way to stop domestic violence and measure and report on the crime.

Minister for Women Kelly O’Dwyer said all women and children had the right to feel safe and to feel supported to seek help when they needed it.

“The statistics on this issue are shocking — one in six women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or former partner since the age of 15,” she said.

“This figure increases to nearly one in four women when violence by boyfriends, girlfriends and dates is included.”

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Originally published as Federal Government announces new $328 million package to fight domestic violence