Page 734 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 17 March 2015
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Our commitment is demonstrated in the ACT prevention of violence against women and children strategy 2011-17—“Our responsibility: ending violence against women and children”. The strategy provides overarching principles to guide violence prevention activities across government and non-government agencies and provides flexible and targeted responses to women and children experiencing violence.
I am pleased to update members that we are continuing to address perpetrators’ behaviour by supporting men to change their behaviour. There are a number of initiatives, including the Canberra Men’s Centre working with the man program, to address issues including violence against women and offensive behaviour.
The ACT government understands that women and children leaving domestic violence are further at risk. We provide a range of specialised accommodation, outreach and specialist domestic violence services for women in Canberra who are escaping domestic or family violence and sexual assault and who may be experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. This is administered by Housing ACT.
Funding for services is primarily provided by the commonwealth to the ACT government via the national affordable housing agreement. However, the ACT government provides additional funds to the Domestic Violence Crisis Service and the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre.
Our ongoing commitment to engage with key stakeholders in the Canberra business sector and promote awareness of the issue of domestic violence includes the partners in prevention function. This program encourages a commitment from the business sector to be proactive in addressing negative— (Time expired.)
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Minister, what is the ACT government doing to better understand and improve responses to domestic violence?
MS BERRY: I am pleased today to provide members with an update on the important collaborative government work to address the national approach against domestic violence, including the ACT prevention of violence against women and children strategy 2011-17.
Members will also be aware of the ACT women’s plan 2010-15, which is our strategic framework to improve the status and lives of women and girls in Canberra. It identifies the need to improve the safety and security of women as one of three outcome areas. This year, we will be undertaking extensive consultation with the community to ensure we better understand and improve responses to domestic violence in the ACT. The women’s plan provides the strategic underpinning for the ACT prevention of violence against women and children strategy. It is deliberately called “our responsibility” in an effort to emphasise the joined-up nature of the responses that are required.
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