Released 25/11/2024
Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the commencement of the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
Dr Marisa Paterson, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, emphasised the importance of this period for all Canberrans to unite against discrimination and violence towards women.
“The next 16 days provide an opportunity for every Canberran to take a stand against discrimination and violence against women, and create a safer, more equitable ACT,” Dr Paterson said.
“The ACT Government is unwavering in its commitment to preventing and addressing the serious and pervasive issue of gendered violence and ensuring people who choose to use violence are held responsible for their behaviour."
To further this commitment, the ACT Government will develop a comprehensive, evidence-based ACT Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Strategy. This strategy will drive ambitious reforms and support Canberrans to feel safe in their relationships.
Consultation for this strategy will take place throughout 2025, focusing on victim-survivors and engaging critical frontline organisations with expertise in preventing and addressing domestic, family and sexual violence.
While the strategy is in development, the ACT Government is not standing still and will continue its existing efforts, including:
- Reforming the use of the Safer Families Levy: From 1 July 2024, no non-frontline ACT Government employees are funded from the Levy. Funds are now almost entirely committed to frontline services, delivered by either community sector services or government areas that directly provide services to victim-survivors and their families.
- Implementing recommendations from the ‘We Don’t Shoot Our Wounded report’: Addressing the disproportionate rates of gendered violence perpetrated against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
- Implementing recommendations from reports: Including the ‘Listen. Take Action to Prevent, Believe and Health’ report on responses to sexual violence and the Sexual Assault (Police) Review, aimed at improving justice responses to sexual violence for victim-survivors.
- Addressing service gaps: Increasing investment for men’s behaviour change programs and expanding innovative service responses including for children and young people who have experienced domestic and family violence.
To support individuals and community organisations even further in their work against gender-based violence in the ACT, Minister Paterson has also launched two grant programs.
The ACT Women’s Safety Grant Program – which provides up to $20,000 for organisations – supporting projects that work towards the goals of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
The Women’s Participation Grants – which provide up to $5,000 for individuals and up to $20,000 for organisations – are part of the ACT Government’s ongoing commitment to achieving gender equality, as outlined in the ACT Women’s Plan 2016-2026.
More information about the Grant Programs is available at: www.act.gov.au/money-and-tax/grants-funding-and-incentives/funding-to-promote-act-women-and-gender-diverse-people/ and www.act.gov.au/money-and-tax/grants-funding-and-incentives/funding-to-promote-act-women-and-gender-diverse-peoples-safety/
- Statement ends -
Marisa Paterson, MLA | Media Releases