NFPs To Advise on Ways to Reduce Violence Against Women

A new tripartite panel with representatives from Federal, State and Territory governments, as well as Not for Profit organisations, will deliver advice to government on ways to address and reduce violence against women and their children.

The Federal Minister for the Status of Women, Julie Collins has announced the membership of the National Plan Implementation Panel which will meet for the first time in Melbourne this week.

The panel comprises government representatives and 14 experts from a cross section of agencies working with women who have experienced violence.

It will advise governments on the implementation of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.

“One in three women in Australia has experienced physical violence since the age of 15, with one in five subjected to sexual violence,” Minister Collins said.

“All forms of violence are unacceptable. We need to do more to stop violence against women and their children from happening in the first place and make sure those who experience violence get the support they need.

“To make a real and sustained difference, all levels of government and the community must work together.

“Members of the new panel have expertise in domestic violence and sexual assault services, the legal system and academic research. Their advice to governments will be invaluable.”

The Minister says the $86 million National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022 is a single, unified strategy bringing together government efforts to reduce violence against women.

“It is the first strategy of its kind to focus so strongly on prevention, including teaching young people about building respectful relationships,” Collins said.

Members of the National Plan Implementation Panel

New South Wales

• Cat Gander, Executive Officer, NSW Women’s Refuge Movement Resource Centres
• Alan Kirkland, Law and Justice/Member of the PM’s Council on Homelessness

Victoria

• Fiona McCormack, CEO Domestic Violence Victoria
• Julie Oberin, Chair of the Australian Women Against Violence Alliance/National Chair of the Women’s Support Network

Queensland

• Shirley Slann, Domestic Violence Rural and Remote Resource Worker at the North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Service/National Indigenous Representative for the Women’s Support Network/Member of the former National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Gathering

South Australia

• Jodie Sloan, Manager Victim Support Services/Member of Australian Women Against Violence Alliance
• Dr Lana Zannettino, Senior Lecturer at Flinders University, Academic research on Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities

Western Australia

• Angela Hartwig, CEO Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence
• Dorinda Cox, Chair of the National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence/Former member of the National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children

Tasmania

• Liz Little, Manager Sexual Assault Services

Northern Territory

• Dale Wakefield, Coordinator Alice Springs Women’s Shelter

Australian Capital Territory

• Rebecca Vassarotti, Executive Director of the YWCA of Canberra
• Sue Salthouse, President of Women With Disability Australia
• Libby Lloyd, Former Chair of the Violence Against Women Advisory Group and the National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children

For more information on the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022 visit www.fahcsia.gov.au.

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