SAFV Centre says victim-survivors must be heard in final plan

THE Geelong-based Sexual Assault and Family Violence (SAFV) Centre has welcomed the release of the draft National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children, but has also stressed the final version must reflect the views of victim-survivors.

Now open for feedback until at least February 14, the plan is a national blueprint for change and sets out the collective ambitions, priorities and targets for how all Australians will work to end violence against women and children over the next 10 years.

SAFV chief executive officer Helen Bolton said the centre was encouraged by the release of the draft plan, and also “pleased that the government heard the calls of the importance in extending the consultation period, allowing those impacted by violence, advocates and the community to review and provide feedback”.

“The National Plan is an opportunity for a national, integrated whole-of-service-system response to preventing and responding to violence against women and children,” she said.

“We are pleased to see prevention as one of the four pillars (in the plan). Primary prevention is the cornerstone of stopping violence against women and children and others impacted by gender-based violence in all its forms, before it occurs.

“And in order to prevent sexual and family violence, we must all work together in our homes, workplaces, schools and social groups to address its main driver – gender inequality.”

The other three pillars in the plan are early intervention, response and recovery.

There are also four foundation principles that inform the pillars. One of these is the “need to draw upon the diverse lived experience of victim-survivors to design appropriate and effective policies and solutions”, and Ms Bolton said it was “imperative” that this remained in the final plan.

“Without their voices, the violence remains hidden behind closed doors, exacerbating the problem. The power and courage shared through the lived experience of those who have been impacted by violence helps us to create safe, supportive, and responsive services across our community.

“While the National Plan outlines some important steps to prevent and respond to violence against women and children, we need long-term and secure funding to put these words into action.”

The other three pillars are:

• Addressing gender inequality is key to ending violence against women and children
• Working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, Elders and communities to end violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls is critical to ending violence in Australia and meeting the commitments in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, and
• There is need for an intersectional and evidence-informed approach that considers the complexity and diversity of people’s lived experiences.

To read the full draft plan and give feedback, head to the Department of Social Services website.

The SAFV Centre supports women and children who have experienced violence, providing trauma-informed counselling, case management and early intervention programs for young people.

If you or someone you know needs support, email the organisation on [email protected] or phone on 5222 4318. For support after hours, phone the Sexual Assault Crisis Line (24 hours) on 1800 806 292 or safe steps (24 hours) on 1800 015 188.