The ACT Government has today endorsed the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 and its clear vision for ending domestic, sexual, and family violence.
The national plan supports meaningful improvements to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Yvette Berry said most importantly, the national plan recognises that ending gender-based violence is everyone’s responsibility.
“The ACT Government recognises the seriousness and prevalence of domestic, family and sexual violence in our community,” Minister Berry said.
“In the ACT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming city and we seek to ensure our community is a place where everyone can feel included and safe.
“However, we are not immune to the life long impacts of domestic, family and sexual violence. Women and children in the ACT, like women and children across Australia, are exposed to an unacceptably high level of violence, discrimination and inequality. They deserve better and we must do better.
“These issues are complex. There is no quick fix. However, these challenges can be overcome when we work together as a community to address them.”
The ACT Government is committed to working with Canberrans to prevent all forms of gendered violence. The government has already funded a range of initiatives to tackle the underlying drivers of sexual violence and improve supports to victim-survivors.
Minister Berry said she is particularly encouraged by the national plan’s focus on perpetrator accountability.
“The onus must always be on the people who use violence to be held accountable and change their behaviours,” Minister Berry said.
“Victim-survivors are not responsible for violence. It is through their brave advocacy that we can launch this plan to ensure our national responses to domestic, family and sexual violence are meaningful, progressive and ambitious.
“I would particularly like to acknowledge the ACT community sector and frontline agencies, whose ongoing engagement is critical.
“I look forward to continuing to collaborate with my Ministerial colleagues and the ACT community to implement the national plan as we develop the first action plan.”
