While the measures introduced to slow the spread of COVID-19 across Australia led to a decrease in property crime during 2020, it is disappointing to note that we can't say the same about sexual assaults.
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Police recorded 27,505 sexual assaults nationally in 2020, which is the highest number ever reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). More than a third of the homicide and related offences were family and domestic violence-related incidents.
The Tasmanian statistics for 2020 show that of the 3414 assaults recorded, 57 per cent occurred in a residential location and 53 per cent of the victims were women.
While the victimisation rate between the 2020 and 2019 figures remained stable, sadly almost half of the incidents recorded were family and domestic violence related.
These figures make for sobering reading. Statistics like these are the reason the federal government is committed to stopping violence against women through prevention and awareness programs.
Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer has been working hard to raise awareness and engage with the Northern Tasmanian community on women's safety, including hosting several forums on this topic recently.
I congratulate Mrs Archer on her advocacy in this area and support her work towards making our community safer for women.
In partnership with state and territory governments, the $600 million women's safety package in this year's federal budget will deliver measures that focus on violence prevention, financial support and online safety for Australian women and children.
The pandemic has presented ongoing issues for women's safety, including a greater need for front-line family, domestic and sexual violence services.
State and territory governments will receive $260 million over two years to support such services. This funding commitment was on top of the $130 million already provided to states and territories during COVID under the existing National Partnership Agreement on family, domestic and sexual violence.
On a very practical level, the new Escaping Violence Payment will provide women leaving a violent relationship with up to $5000 in financial assistance, goods, services and support. This payment will run on a two-year demand driven trial and is on track for delivery from October 2021.
The Escaping Violence Payment measure is also complemented by the No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) for Women Experiencing Family and Domestic Violence and the expansion of a Services Australia streamlined case management pilot, where people experiencing domestic and family violence need only share their story once.
Further ABS research into partner violence shows seven out of 10 women who experienced violence by their partner did not leave the relationship.
Almost half indicated that they wanted to leave but were unable to, citing the following reasons: wanting to try and work things out, still loving their partner, lack of financial support and resolving their problems.
Any Australian fleeing a domestic violence situation will be able to access the Escaping Violence Payment, however the government anticipates it will help more women as they are disproportionately affected by family, domestic and sexual violence. It is estimated that this pilot will assist up to 12,000 women annually.
This payment will help survivors get back on their feet after leaving an abusive partner, ensuring financial insecurity is not a barrier to escaping a violent relationship.
The Escaping Violence Payment is not a social security payment and not subject to a social security means test, however financial stress is one eligibility criteria.
Recognising the need to treat the cause of domestic and family violence, as well as support survivors, the Australian Government is trialling the CEASE program making offenders accountable for their actions.
The $4.2 million trial focuses on a deterrence model through identifying serious and repeat domestic and family violence offenders and supporting their victims.
Results will be used to build an evidence base of effective solutions to address perpetrators' use of violence.
The trial will establish an inter-agency group with local police, corrections and social services, accounting for the unique needs of communities, which will analyse offenders, while communicating directly with them about being closely monitored.
The government is also investing $4.9 million to extend offender-focused services No to Violence and MensLine. No to Violence (ntv.org.au) works with men who use family violence, supporting them to change their violent behaviour, while MensLine (mensline.org.au) is a phone and online counselling service with experts in men's mental health, anger management, family violence (using and experiencing), substance abuse, healthy relationships and well-being.
As I have said before, all Australians, and particularly women, should feel safe, especially in their own home.
- Wendy Askew, Tasmanian Liberal senator
For help, call Family Violence Counselling and Support Service on 1800 608 122, 9am to midnight weekdays, and 4pm to midnight weekends and public holidays.
Telephone and online counselling is available at 1800 RESPECT or by calling 1800 737 732.
