Australians are continuing to experience “unacceptable levels of harm” in the areas of sexual violence and the family law and justice systems. Source: SBS News.
The nation’s Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner, Micaela Cronin, yesterday released her third annual update to Parliament, which found that progress made by governments and communities was not yet at the scale or pace needed to save lives.
It comes amid reports of sexual violence being at their highest level since national recording began 33 years ago.
The commission identified it as one of two “persistent” areas, alongside family law and justice systems, where people are experiencing unacceptable levels of harm.
“The scale of sexual violence in Australia demands sustained national investment and action, commensurate with the scale of the problem,” Ms Cronin said.
“Collectively, we must send a clear message that these behaviours are not acceptable, and that people who have experienced sexual violence will be heard, treated with dignity and respect, and supported through their justice and healing journey.”
The report notes almost six in 10 sexual assaults recorded by police occurred outside family and intimate partner relationships.
This underlined a “distinct national problem, not simply an extension of domestic and family violence”.
Meanwhile, the family law system was also a “site of ongoing weaponisation and harm”.
The commission pointed to “intense public and political conversation around institutional responses to sexual violence” and “misogynistic content influencing young people” as bolstering its call for sustained, rather than episodic, national attention to both sexual violence and the family law system.
It acknowledged the commitment made by political leaders at national cabinet to address sexual violence as a priority.
Eight recommendations were handed down to help inform the national plan to end violence against women and children by 2032.
Addressing Parliament yesterday, Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek pointed to actions already taken by the Albanese Government, such as reforming family courts and social security so women and children can rely on the systems.
FULL STORY
Australians face ‘unacceptable levels of harm’ as sexual violence reaches historic high (SBS News)
