Assistant Minister Reports 5,000 Weekly Domestic Violence Calls to Police

As Australia’s first domestic violence commissioner prepares to table her yearly report on the government’s 10-year national plan, both government and opposition MPs have backed the need for more action to control gender violence.

Justine Elliot, assistant minister for the prevention of family violence, claimed over 5,000 calls were made to police each week to report “gender violence.”

“For too many women, home is the most dangerous place. The life of a woman is different. We’ve had to see, think, and act differently throughout our entire lives out of fear of violence.”

The minister spoke about her government’s policies over the past two years, pointing to the move to legislate 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave.

The government said it also expanded single parent payments, which is currently paid to 91,000 Australians.

“This expansion is designed to provide additional financial support to single parents, many of whom are women, ensuring they have the resources needed to care for their children in safe and stable environments.”

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Another development is the Permanent Leaving Violence Program with 57 percent of recipients reporting they were able to leave violent relationships with its financial assistance.

Opposition Backs Plan

In response, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley acknowledged the importance of the domestic violence commissioner’s annual statement, and expressed concern not enough was being done.

“When we look at the data, we are not on track. Rates of reporting incidents of family and domestic violence have risen by up to 16 percent annually across Australia. We know that most women who experience male violence do not report the incident to police, and one in four women have experienced violence from an intimate partner since the age of 15,” she told Parliament on Aug. 21.

She further highlighted that 35 women have already been killed this year due to family and domestic violence, with another 17 killed by male perpetrators. At least 55 children have been left without their mother.

The minister, however, supported the government’s moves to invest in social housing for women and children fleeing violence.

“Plans are underway to build 4,000 social and affordable homes specifically for this purpose, along with 720 additional safe places of emergency accommodation nationwide.”

Additionally, the government is implementing all recommendations from the Respect@Work report, including enforcing positive workplace environments.