Violence against women: The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and Their Children

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In March 2011, Australia adopted the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and Their Children 2010-2022 as its primary policy on domestic and family violence and sexual assault. The National Plan is guided by a number of key principles, and sets out six national outcomes for all governments to deliver by 2022. Four three-year Action Plans drive the implementation of the National Plan.

The Sex Discrimination Commissioner welcomed the National Plan, however noted the need for coordinated, effective implementation that is adequately supported and meets the needs of a diverse range of women experiencing violence. She also called for independent mechanisms to be established for monitoring and evaluating the National Plan.

In May 2013, a report on the progress of the first stage of the National Plan was published. In June 2014, The Second Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2013 – 2016 (The Second Plan) was released by the federal Government outlining the current and future practical implementations of the National Plan.

On 26 July 2013, the Australian and Victorian government launched the Foundation to Prevent Violence against Women and their Children. The Foundation, renamed Our Watch, is focused on preventing violence against women through changing culture, behaviours and attitudes that underpin and create violence against women and children.

The National Centre for Excellence, renamed Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS), was established in 2013 as a national research body that brings together research on domestic and family violence and sexual assault and develops an evidence base to underpin the National Plan.