Today we’re releasing the Defence Strategy for Preventing and Responding to Family and Domestic Violence 2023-2028.
Family and domestic violence is incompatible with Defence’s values and behaviours of service, courage, respect, integrity and excellence, and to include and value others.
Australian Defence values are about having the courage and integrity to do what is needed, to do what is right.
It means believing and supporting victim-survivors, prioritising safety, being guided by victim-survivors’ needs while also maintaining an approach that those who use violence are responsible for their behaviour.
The Strategy is underpinned by the four domains of Prevention, Early Intervention, Response and Recovery and healing, as outlined in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
It has been informed by literature and research, including the 2015 Department of Veterans’ Affairs commissioned research into intimate partner violence among Defence and veteran families.
The Albanese Labor Government is committed to prioritising and investing in efforts to end gender-based violence across Australia, as demonstrated by our record $2.3 billion investment in women’s safety initiatives.
The Strategy will be underpinned by action plans, the first of which will be rolled out in early 2024.
Quotes attributed to Matt Keogh, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel;
“As Chair of my local family and domestic violence support service and refuge, Starick Services, before Parliament, I came into politics committed to moving the dial on domestic violence.”
“Change begins with culture. Cultural change throughout a large organisation is more than creating new policies, procedures and bodies.”
“It means believing and supporting victim survivors, prioritising safety, being guided by victim-survivors’ needs while also maintaining an approach that those who use violence are responsible for their behaviour.”
“Cultural change requires a sustained commitment that is driven by our values.”
“Family and domestic violence is incompatible with Defence values.”
“Our Defence values are about having the courage and integrity to do what is needed, to do what is right.”
“Together, we must end family and domestic violence.”
Quotes attributed to Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Social Services;
“Working towards our shared goal of ending violence against women and children requires all parts of society to work together.”
“This violence has to end and Australia is rightly shocked by the violence we are seeing. Our Albanese Labor Government takes addressing family, domestic and sexual violence seriously. “
“Since coming to Government last year, addressing family, domestic and sexual violence has been my top priority. We’ve taken immediate and practical steps to support victims of family and domestic violence, backed up by our record investment of $2.3 billion in women’s safety initiatives.”
“This work will complement our National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children along with our Action Plans.”
