Making Australians safer

AS 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence ends, Australians enter one of the most dangerous times of the year: the festive season. 

It is known that financial pressures, increased childcare demands, family gatherings and reduced safe spaces can trigger violence, though, there is no excuse for it. 

Every incident is avoidable. Rates of family and domestic violence continue to rise across the nation. 

In South Australia it is up 14 per cent in the year to September. 

More than 60 Australian women have been killed this year and countless more live with near-death experiences daily. 

Too many children are witnessing and/or experiencing violence in its many forms. 

In rural and remote areas, the rate of violence is higher. 

Community legal centres say up to 70 per cent of rural and remote area work is related to family and domestic violence and around 20 per cent more than in cities. 

Centres turn away more than 1000 people every day. 

Crisis call lines are struggling to meet demand. SA court lists are packed with family violence matters. 

The Federal Labor Government has made announcements in response to public outcry but most of it won’t reach services until after the federal election. 

In September, the Albanese Government announced $4.4 billion in new funding, including $3.9 billion under the National Legal Assistance Partnership. The funds are not available until July 1. 

The 500 frontline workers for the sector have not rolled out as expected with SA still not meeting its 2023-24 target of 36 new workers, nearly three years after the election commitment. 

What Australians need is action, not a government protecting a budget surplus. 

For those seeking help, call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). 

Senator Kerrynne Liddle 

Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence