Response to the draft National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032

The National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032 (Plan) is an historic opportunity for the Australian Government to commit to take action to substantially reduce gender-based violence.

The draft Plan, however, falls short of articulating an evidence-based and expert informed plan and strategy for how to achieve its stated vision - a country where women and children live free from violence.

To work towards the elimination of violence against women and children, we must transform the social, political and economic factors that cause it.\

Experts have advocated throughout consultation processes for substantive policy action to rectify structural barriers to safety and equality. This expertise is not reflected in the draft Plan.

The draft Plan underutilises the legislative and policy mechanisms available to the Federal Government that would improve the safety of women and children and work towards the elimination of gendered violence. The Plan shifts focus to individuals’ attitudes and to policy areas that are largely outside the responsibility of the Commonwealth. While collaboration with and between states and territories and the eradication of violence-supportive attitudes are important elements of a national plan to end violence against women and children, key areas of Federal Government responsibility are inadequately reflected in the Plan.

Our detailed response provides feedback and recommendations on specific aspects of the draft National Plan.