Report: 43 Australian Women Victim of Domestic Violence in the Last Year

The first Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence report unveiled that 43 women were killed by their partners in the previous fiscal year ending on June 30.

Presented in Parliament on Aug. 21, the report also highlighted an 11 percent rise in sexual violence during the same period.

“These figures depict a harsh reality that many prefer to ignore, but advocates courageously bring to light, urging us to confront these issues directly,” stated Michaela Cronin, the domestic violence commissioner.

Cronin underscored the critical role of language in shaping perceptions of domestic violence, urging for a shift towards addressing “gender inequality and power imbalances,” during a speech at the National Press Club.

“Changing the narrative is imperative in fostering a cultural shift that challenges the norms and attitudes that perpetuate violence,” she asserted.

Cronin identified three key themes from the report: highlighting the lived experiences of victims, involving men in the conversation, and enhancing support services.

“Men are disproportionately the perpetrators of violence, yet the national plan’s references to men are significantly fewer compared to women,” she remarked, advocating for increased education to prevent such incidents.

“Efforts must be focused on working more effectively with men to comprehend and tackle the underlying causes of violence.”

Lastly, Cronin called for enhanced funding as the existing support services were under strain.