Chesters seeks feedback on domestic violence plan

FEDERAL member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters held a roundtable with local organisations including the Centre for Non-Violence, ARC Justice and Victoria Police to seek feedback on how the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children (2022-2032) is rolling out.

The plan specifies how all parts of society must work together to achieve the shared vision of ending gender-based violence in one generation.

It covers four main elements – prevention by working to change the underlying social drivers of violence, early intervention by identifying high risk individuals, providing services and supports to address existing violence, plus recovery and healing.

Ms Chesters said the purpose of the roundtable was to make sure funding is reaching the ground level and to hear from the attendees what they need from her as their representative.

“Our local family and domestic violence frontline workers and first responders do amazing work to support women and families in Central Victoria,” she said.

“(But) these national plans only work if you engage with the grassroots and receive that direct feedback.”

“You need to have that frank and fearless feedback so that you can really understand what’s going on locally.”

Ms Chesters said she’d be feeding the key outcomes of the meeting into the Minister’s office and following up directly with various departments.

“I’ll also be sharing my experiences with local and state governments because all levels need to work together to address this.”

Further information on the plan is available on the Department of Social Services website.