Page 785 - Week 02 - Thursday, 10 March 2011
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According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2006, one in three Australian women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15, and almost one in five women have experienced sexual violence. These figures are completely disturbing and indicate that nationally there is still work to do to address domestic violence. The ACT government recognises this.
As a result, in February this year the Council of Australian Governments endorsed the national plan to reduce violence against women and their children. The ACT government remains a progressive force in engaging with the public debate about ways of addressing domestic violence and child abuse. In 2010-11 the government provided funding of $2.8 million over four years to community services which offer assistance and support for women and children experiencing violence.
This national plan is the first of its kind, as it emphasises a whole-of-government and whole-of-community sector approach throughout all jurisdictions and at all levels to eliminate the factors and triggers which unfortunately can lead to domestic violence occurring. The ACT, along with other jurisdictions, is in the process of creating and developing the ACT strategy of the national plan.
Coupled with the national plan is the ACT government’s commitment to the stay at home program, which is an initiative arising out of the national partnership on homelessness. This program is facilitated by Housing ACT and is designed to help women and children in public housing who experience domestic violence to stay in the family home and for the perpetrator to be removed from the tenancy agreement and rehoused elsewhere. The stay at home program is significant as it shifts the focus and allows the women and families to stay in place and for the perpetrator to be removed.
I also wish to acknowledge the importance of celebrating, supporting and valuing multicultural women in our society. Earlier this week I had the privilege of launching the ACT Multicultural Women’s Advocacy International Women’s Day celebrations and their Solace in Song CD. The Solace in Song CD includes music and interviews about the challenges and triumphs experienced by local multicultural women and their process of adjusting to life in Australia. The stories which these women have told me show of their determination, commitment and dedication to supporting multicultural women in the broader community here in Canberra.
I am forever encouraged at the bravery of newly arrived women that they continuously display as they confront and break down the barriers they face when they come to a new country. The ACT government recognises the barriers which newly arrived women face, such as the difficulty in gaining employment due to the lack of experience in Australian workplaces. That is why this government has introduced the work experience and support program run by the Office of Multicultural Affairs. This program provides participants with opportunities to apply their skills and professional and educational backgrounds and to gain practical work experience through work placements across several agencies in the ACT government.
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