KEY DIRECTIONS COVER fa 5/2/02 2:00 PM Page 2 Key Directions in Women’s Safety December 2001 A co-ordinated approach to reducing violence against women Valuing Victoria’s Women KEY DIRECTIONS COVER fa 5/2/02 2:00 PM Page 3 Your comments are welcome This document outlines the Victorian Government’s proposed key directions to reduce the level, and fear, of violence against women in Victoria. The document has been released for public consultation so that the community has an opportunity to comment on the proposed key directions, prior to the release of the Government’s Women’s Safety Strategy in 2002. Comments are welcome on any aspect of this document, and particularly: • Are the proposed KEY DIRECTIONS the most important areas for Government to focus on in reducing the level, and fear, of violence against women? (pages 35 to 45) • Given what Government is already doing, are the proposed NEXT STEPS the most pressing priorities for future Government action? (pages 37, 39, 42 and 46) Comments should be forwarded to: Katherine Koesasi Executive Officer, Women’s Safety Co-ordinating Committee Office of Women’s Policy Department of Premier and Cabinet Level 3, 1 Treasury Place Melbourne VIC 3002 Telephone: 03 9651 0530 Facsimile: 03 9651 0533 Email: [email protected] Additional copies of this document are available at the Office of Women’s Policy website: www.women.vic.gov.au To obtain a summary of this paper in your preferred language please telephone the Office of Women’s Policy on 03 9651 0530. Comments must be received by 28 March 2002. Key Directions in Women’s Safety is a Victorian Government publication prepared by the Office of Women’s Policy, Department of Premier and Cabinet to contribute to the development of a Women’s Safety Strategy for Victoria. ©Copyright State of Victoria, December 2001 This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Key dir fa 5/2/02 1:51 PM Page 3 Valuing Victoria’s Women Key Directions in Women’s Safety A co-ordinated approach to reducing violence against women Key dir fa 5/2/02 1:51 PM Page 4 Key dir fa 5/2/02 1:51 PM Page 5 PREFACE The Bracks Government is committed to building a safer future for all Victorians. As Minister for Women’s Affairs I am particularly concerned about the level of violence against women. Research shows that at least one in three Australian women have experienced violence or serious threats of violence in their adult lives. Much of this violence remains hidden and is likely to occur in the home. The offender is more likely to be the woman’s current or previous partner than a stranger. One quarter of young people have witnessed their mother or step-mother being physically abused. Key Directions in Women’s Safety represents a landmark in the Government’s commitment to addressing violence against women, whether it occurs in the home, workplace or the broader community. This is the first comprehensive statement about violence against women by any Victorian Government for 16 years. Community input to this document will shape the development of a Women’s Safety Strategy for Victoria to be released in 2002. My colleagues across Government share my commitment to developing a Women’s Safety Strategy. Ten Ministers will join me in an annual meeting to review progress and set priorities. Their Departments have been actively involved in shaping the key directions. We cannot reduce violence against women unless all government agencies work together and unless the Government works co-operatively with local government, non-government organisations and the broader community. The themes in this document reflect what the Government believes will make a genuine difference to the level, and fear, of violence against women: • The importance of protection and justice for women; • The need for a range of options to support women who have experienced violence; • The importance of strengthening our prevention efforts, ensuring a consistent approach across sectors and that women’s specific needs and issues are taken into account; and • The need to value and strengthen the role of communities in responding to violence. On behalf of the Victorian Government I welcome your views about the key directions proposed in each of these four areas. Sherryl Garbutt MP Minister for Women’s Affairs 5 - Key Directions in Women’s Safety Key dir fa 5/2/02 1:51 PM Page 6 Participating Ministers The Hon Sherryl Garbutt MP Minister for Women’s Affairs The Hon Andre Haermeyer MP Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for Corrections The Hon Rob Hulls MP Attorney-General The Hon Christine Campbell MP Minister for Community Services The Hon Bronwyn Pike MP Minister for Housing and Senior Victorians, Minister Assisting the Premier on Community Building The Hon John Thwaites MP Minister for Health The Hon Mary Delahunty MP Minister for Education The Hon Keith Hamilton MP Minister for Aboriginal Affairs The Hon John Pandazopoulos MP Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs The Hon Bob Cameron MP Minister for Workcover; Minister for Local Government The Hon Monica Gould MLC Minister for Industrial Relations. Acknowledgments Key Directions in Women’s Safety was prepared by the Office of Women’s Policy, Department of Premier and Cabinet, under the guidance and direction of the Women’s Safety Co-ordinating Committee (WSCC). Considerable thanks are owed to the women and men who participated in the Women’s Safety Consultative Forum, the Women’s Safety Think Tank, and others who provided ideas and suggestions. The contribution of individuals from government and non-government agencies who gave their time and expertise to participate in Working Groups is gratefully acknowledged. Thanks must also be extended to staff at Crime Prevention Victoria, Department of Justice who prepared background statistics for inclusion in the Strategy in the course of preparing their forthcoming publication: Women’s Experience of Crime and Safety in Victoria: A Statistical Perspective. 6 - Key Directions in Women’s Safety Key dir fa 5/2/02 1:51 PM Page 7 CONTENTS Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................9 1. INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................13 1.1 Purpose Of This Document ....................................................................................................13 1.2 The Government’s Commitment ............................................................................................13 1.3 Working Together....................................................................................................................16 2. UNDERSTANDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ..............................................................19 2.1 What Is Violence Against Women? ........................................................................................19 2.2 Forms Of Violence Against Women ........................................................................................21 2.2.1 Family Violence ....................................................................................................21 2.2.2 Sexual Assault........................................................................................................22 2.2.3 Violence in Public Places ......................................................................................23 2.2.4 Stalking ................................................................................................................23 2.2.5 Workplace Violence and Bullying ........................................................................24 2.2.6 Sexual Harassment................................................................................................25 2.2.7 Other Forms Of Violence Against Women ..........................................................25 2.3 Women’s Diverse Needs And Circumstances ..........................................................................27 2.4 Why Does Violence Against Women Occur? ..........................................................................30 2.5 How Does Violence Against Women Impact On Victorians?..................................................31 3. ADDRESSING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ........................................................................32 3.1 Building A Safer Future For Women And Girls ......................................................................32 3.2 Ten Principles To Guide Our Practice ....................................................................................33 3.3 Key Directions..........................................................................................................................35 3.3.1 Protection And Justice ..........................................................................................35 3.3.2 Options For Women..............................................................................................37 3.3.3 Preventing Violence ..............................................................................................40 3.3.4 Community Action And Co-Ordination ..............................................................43 3.4 Monitoring And Evaluation ....................................................................................................47 3.5 Complementary Approaches Across Government ..................................................................49