Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin today released her second report on the progress of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children. 

We thank the Commissioner for her continued efforts to build a safer, fairer community and for the significant work that went into developing this report. We also acknowledge, appreciate and agree with her honest recognition that every corner of our sector is under growing and unsustainable pressure, with rising demand not being matched by adequate government support. 

Strengthening and supporting the workforce responding to family, domestic and sexual violence is key to achieving meaningful improvement. These are dedicated, passionate professionals who deserve the support, development opportunities and recognition their lifesaving work demands. 

The report also reinforced what Safe and Equal has long advocated for: prevention must be central to any effort to end family violence. The key to real change lies in stopping violence before it starts – and that requires strong policy focus and sustained funding from all levels of government. 

This is particularly relevant to children and young people. We urgently need purposeful investment and strategy that is designed to deliver meaningful, tailored support and recovery for children and young people, recognising them as victims of family violence in their own right and addressing the significant gaps that currently exist in the services available to them. 

We also welcome the focus on priority communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, migrant and refugee communities, people living with disabilities and LGBTIQA+ communities. There is much more to be done to ensure the necessary reach, access and safety of all our services and prevention work.  

The Commissioner’s report is a vital reminder of both the progress made and the urgent work still to be done to end family, domestic and sexual violence in Australia. Real and lasting change will only be achieved through sustained investment from prevention through to recovery, a strong and supported specialist workforce and targeted action that meets the needs of all people and communities, including children and young people as victims in their own right.  

We call on all levels of government to respond to the Commissioner’s findings with the seriousness and commitment they demand and deserve – through funding, policy attention and engagement with the sector – to build a future where everyone is safe, equal and free from violence. 

The Federal Government’s announcement of an inquiry into domestic, family and sexual violence-related suicide is a vital and long-overdue step forward. It highlights the urgent need for prevention, early intervention and strong support for those most at risk. We look forward to contributing to the inquiry while continuing to advocate for all those who have lost their lives to family violence. 

Read the full report here.