“Women never stay in abusive relationships by choice. It’s just that they have nowhere else to go.”
This is the message from Emra, a victim-survivor and domestic violence advocate.
“Until governments understand and actively address that, women will keep being killed by their partners. It’s that simple,” she said.
Following the federal budget reveal on May 14, Karen Bevan, the chief executive of Full Stop, a leading sexual, domestic and family violence response and recovery service, echoed Emra’s feelings.
“There are huge funding gaps across response and recovery programs, which is where the critical work is done providing support to victim-survivors,” Ms Bevan said.
2024 has so far been one of the deadliest years for women in Australia, with 28 women killed by their current or former partners. Tragically, this number comes well before the halfway mark of the year.
Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reveals a grim reality: in 2020-21, a woman was killed by her partner every 15 days. This rate has increased dramatically to a woman dying every four days in 2024.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently branded domestic violence a “national crisis”.
“The heartbreaking reality is that there is no overnight solution to violence against women and children,” he said.
“My government is absolutely committed to making progress to end family, domestic, and sexual violence in one generation through our National Plan.”
On May 1, Mr Albanese called an emergency national cabinet meeting on gender-based violence to address the crisis.
But Ms Bevan said that since then, the talk had not been backed up by sufficient action.
“Two weeks ago we were talking about a national emergency and the need for a comprehensive investment in women’s safety,” she said.
“The scale of the national emergency has not been matched by the scale of the Federal Government’s investment in this budget.”
Emra described the measures announced after the national cabinet meeting as “nothing more than a performative act of goodwill”.
“These measures are a letdown for victims-survivors. I am livid, but the joke is on me for expecting more,” she said.
Emra questioned the effectiveness of the $1500 financial assistance (plus $3500 in goods and services) in the current economy, particularly for women with children.
“If victims-survivors were given the total amount of the financial assistance in cash, it could achieve so much more,” she said.
“$5000 would allow people to effectively leave by giving them the resources to get their own place and cover a bond — which is impossible with $1500.”
The 2021 Nowhere to Go report by Equity Economics found family violence to be the leading cause of homelessness for women and children.
Only 3.2 per cent of those in need received the necessary long-term housing support, leaving over 7600 women to return to violent partners and over 9100 homeless each year. And these numbers are only the tip of the iceberg.
Equity Economics suggests funding an additional 16,800 social housing units could generate $15.3 billion in economic benefits, create 47,000 jobs and yield significant savings through reduced homelessness and violence.
“If our prime minister is serious about eradicating ‘family, domestic and sexual violence in one generation’, the government should focus on long-term solutions such as providing housing for those wanting to escape, instead of funding nuclear submarines,” Emra said.
If you aren’t safe and need help, you are not alone — support is available:
- 1800RESPECT: National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service — 1800 737 732
- Lifeline: Crisis support and suicide prevention — 13 11 14
- Safe Steps: 24/7 family violence response centre — 1800 015 188
- Men’s Referral Service: For men seeking help for their violent behaviour — 1300 766 491
- Kids Helpline: Counselling service for young people aged five to 25 — 1800 55 1800