Australia is facing a domestic violence crisis, despite billions of dollars being committed towards ending gender-based violence. This tragic issue, described as a “national shame” by experts, is worsening rather than improving, as the number of women killed by violent acts continues to rise.
A Devastating Toll on Women
In 2024, advocacy group Counting Dead Women reported 62 women violently killed in Australia, with seven weeks left in the year. This marks an alarming average of 1.37 women killed per week, up from 1.2 in 2023. This increase in deaths reflects the deeper, systemic issues of gender-based violence that the country has struggled to address.
The situation is especially devastating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, who face disproportionately high rates of violence. Patty Kinnersly, CEO of Our Watch, a national organization focused on the prevention of violence against women and children, called this situation “a national shame.” She highlighted that violence does not affect all women equally, with migrant, refugee, and disabled women experiencing alarmingly high rates of abuse.
Government Measures and Their Impact
Despite years of government efforts, the violence against women remains rampant. In 2024 alone, the federal government allocated substantial funding to combat domestic violence. This included a $925 million investment in the “Leaving Violence” program, which supports people escaping abusive relationships. Additionally, a $4.7 billion boost in funding was announced to strengthen frontline services and improve responses to violence.
Yet, these financial commitments have not yielded the desired results. Sherele Moody, a femicide researcher and journalist, reported that the number of women killed by violent acts in 2024 has already exceeded last year’s toll. She attributes this failure to insufficient resources and a lack of systemic changes.
The Role of Men in the Solution
One of the uncomfortable truths highlighted by experts is that almost all violent deaths of women are caused by men—often by men they know. While women have been at the forefront of advocacy and support efforts, experts like Sherele Moody stress that men must also be engaged in the solution. “Violence against women is primarily a male problem,” she said.
Men’s involvement is essential not only in helping to prevent violence but also in addressing the attitudes that normalize sexism, gender inequality, and harmful masculinity. The perpetuation of these attitudes is a major contributor to the high rates of violence against women in Australia. Patty Kinnersly pointed out that these social issues are not isolated but widespread in many areas of the community.
Gaps in the System
Despite government commitments, many experts believe the policies in place are not enough to bring about significant change. Sherele Moody emphasized that women continue to “slip through the cracks” due to gaps in the current support systems. While funding is a critical step, experts argue that the current initiatives need to be reassessed with input from those who have lived through domestic violence.
Moody also believes that the government needs to focus more on prevention and listen to the voices of survivors and experts. “If it takes two years to come up with a suitable plan, then that’s what it takes,” she said. The current initiatives are not enough to stem the tide of violence, and without a major shift in approach, the deaths of women will continue.
Moving Forward: What Needs to Change?
While Australia’s National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032 has laid out a roadmap to address this issue, it is clear that more needs to be done. The country must reassess its strategies, invest more in prevention, and ensure that all voices, particularly those of survivors, are heard.
The ongoing crisis calls for a renewed commitment from all levels of government, the involvement of men in the conversation, and a societal shift in how violence against women is addressed. Until these changes are made, the death toll will likely continue to rise, and Australia will remain trapped in this national crisis.
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