The murders of five women in just 10 days must increase the urgency of governments and communities to tackle violence against women and their children.
The cross-party federal Parliamentary Friends of Ending Violence Against Women calls for renewed focus on this epidemic of violence to turn the tide on these horrific gendered killings.
Counting Dead Women Australia has confirmed seven women – Katherine Safranko, Heather Dean, Krystal Marshall, Thi Thuy Huong Nguyen, Lilie James, Analyn ‘Logee’ Osias and Alice McShera – were killed by violence in October, bringing the total to 43 for 2023.
We must tackle the root causes of violence against women, and to transform harmful social norms, with well-funded, expert-led respectful relationships education in schools, sporting associations, workplaces and across all aspects of society.
We need funding for the frontline services that provide emergency housing, wrap around support, legal advice, counselling and healing, and long term affordable housing.
We know that First Nations women are eight times more likely to be murdered as a result of violence, and we know that there is violence in every suburb and community across the country.
We also know this is an issue that crosses party lines and work across governments has started.
We have seen the power of multipartisan commitments to ending this violence through the adoption of the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children and funding to deliver the strategy, changes to workplace regulation including a positive duty to prevent sexual harassment and support for Respectful Relationships Education in schools. We have also seen efforts to address perpetrator behaviour through a Healthy Masculinities project and Stop It At the Start campaigns.
Governments at all levels must continue to prioritise this issue with funding and leadership, and each of us must drive the cultural change we need to end the epidemic of violence against women in our communities.
Senator Larissa Waters
Bridget Archer MP
Alicia Payne MP
Co-convenors of the Parliamentary Friends of Ending Violence Against Women and Children
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000. If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.