Progress on the nation’s efforts to end the scourge of gender-based violence in Australia will be revealed by the domestic family and sexual violence commissioner.
Micaela Cronin will release the first annual report tracking the progress of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032, at an address to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday.
It will then be tabled in parliament, a year on from two subordinate action plans that outlined steps to ending violence in a generation.
One of those focuses on the disproportionate level of violence experienced by Indigenous communities.
The commissioner has met with more than 300 organisations and people this year, as services struggle to keep up with demand.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said family violence destroys lives and it must end.
“The safety of women and children experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence is a national priority for our government,” she said.
“We are working every day under the national plan, which is our comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy with states and territories to end violence against women and children in one generation.”
Ms Rishworth said Labor had provided more than $3.4 billion for women’s safety in three federal budgets and convened a dedicated national cabinet on this issue earlier this year.
The nation has been shocked by the spate of violent attacks on women this year, prompting calls for urgent action.
Prevention of Family Violence Assistant Minister Justine Elliot said everyone had a part to play, and commended the “continued bravery and dedication” of people driving change.
“We should be proud of the work that has been done to end gender-based violence in Australia to date, work done over many years by so many community services, frontline workers and advocates,” she said.
“Today’s report presents a vital opportunity for continued action, improvement, and development.”
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This post was originally published on Michael West.