Addressing Domestic Violence in the Federal Election

As the federal election campaign progresses, discussions surrounding violence against women and children have been notably limited, prompting concern among advocates. With the election entering its fourth week, Labor and the Coalition are now beginning to outline their commitments on this critical issue.

Labor’s Commitment and Current Challenges

In its latest announcement, Labor has reiterated its dedication to enhancing women’s safety, referencing prior investments made under the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children. While the party acknowledges past achievements, it also recognizes the substantial work ahead, particularly in addressing financial abuse and supporting direct interventions for perpetrators.

Notably, calls for political action have intensified in light of recent tragic events, wherein numerous women have fallen victim to violence. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously described domestic violence as a national crisis, underscoring its urgency. Despite the escalating public concern, this matter has not been prioritized in election discussions, overshadowed instead by pressing economic issues such as the cost of living.

Exploring the Silence: Why Isn’t It a Central Issue?

Several factors may contribute to the insufficient emphasis on violence against women in current political discourse:

• Assumption of Enough Being Done: Some politicians may believe previous initiatives sufficiently address the issue, leading to complacency.
• Focus on Other Issues: Violence may be viewed as less politically salient compared to economic matters dominating the campaign landscape.
• Complexity of Solutions: The intricacies of addressing domestic violence might deter politicians from taking a strong stance due to fears of backlash or misinterpretation.

Nevertheless, the complexity of the issue should not excuse inaction. Effective policy must reflect political bravery and decisiveness, translating official declarations of crises into actionable commitments.

Call for Sustained Action Beyond Elections

The next federal government must prioritize domestic violence with a response proportionate to its scope, meaning considerable investments across various supporting networks are paramount. This entails moving from temporary funding solutions to comprehensive, sustainable approaches that ensure service continuity for both crisis management and prevention efforts.

Key steps toward improvement include:

• Increased funding for various services, ensuring support extends to children and rural communities.
• Enhanced provision of culturally sensitive and trauma-informed care, particularly for communities disproportionately affected by violence.
• Supportive measures for frontline workers, who face high turnover and burnout rates, through ongoing professional development and training.

Improving Coordination and Measuring Impact

Collaboration across government levels is essential. A fragmented approach historically hinders progress. Enhanced coordination under the National Partnership Agreement could significantly help identify and assist at-risk groups. Better data sharing between agencies can help improve safety measures across state and territory lines.

Monitoring and evaluating progress on domestic violence is equally important. Transparent assessments of policies ensure data-driven improvements to the national strategy. The inaugural Commissioner for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence is positioned to oversee these evaluations, yet further actionable reporting remains crucial.

Commitments and Future Directions

If re-elected, Labor plans to invest more resources into combating financial abuse and expanding perpetrator intervention programs, including monitoring high-risk offenders. While welcome, these actions should be viewed as part of a broader strategy that addresses additional priorities, such as:

• Long-term funding for crisis services targeting children and marginalized communities.
• Investment in programs designed to engage young individuals exhibiting violent behavior.
• Implementation of the First Nations National Plan, with necessary resources provided to First Nations communities.

Ultimately, irrespective of the outcome of the election, domestic, family, and sexual violence must remain a centerpiece of national policy discussions. This issue requires immediate attention—delays can lead to more tragic consequences. For those at risk or affected, the National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line (1800 RESPECT) operates 24/7, providing critical support services.

This article was co-authored by Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Professor (Practice), Faculty of Business and Economics at Monash University.