The federal government has pledged an extra $189 million for domestic, family and sexual violence services in the next budget, building on spending promised last year to improve women’s safety and economic security.
The new money includes $104 million over five years to support Our Watch, which aims to prevent domestic violence. The additional funds represent an increase of about a 65 per cent in the organisation’s annual funding.
Women’s Safety Minister Anne Ruston.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
Another $47.8 million will be spent on a national marketing campaign that focuses on men’s attitudes and behaviours and how they can hold each other to account for their actions. A second, $32 million national campaign will aim to inform children over 12 and their parents about consent and respectful relationships.
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds and Chanel Contos, the founder of Teach Us Consent, will also develop a survey of secondary school-age students on issues related to consent, with $5.1 million in new funding.
Last year’s federal budget more than doubled funding for domestic violence prevention to $680 million over three years and another $354 million was outlaid for women’s health programs over four years.
Minister for Women’s Safety Anne Ruston said the only way to end gendered violence was to focus on preventing it from happening in the first place.
“Through this package we will help address the underlying drivers of gendered violence and, in particular, sexual violence, which are the attitudes and behaviours that excuse, justify and even promote violence against women,” she said.
“We are making sure that crucial messages about consent are heard in every home around Australia to ensure we are all empowered to have conversations with young people, family and friends about this important issue.”
“The additional funding for Our Watch will also allow the organisation to increase its evaluation capacity, develop key frameworks and build strong relationships with government and the corporate sector to establish itself as the national centre of prevention excellence.”
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