Safe & Free from Violence: National Plan

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The vision of the National Plan:  ‘Australian women and their children live free from violence in safe communities’

National Plan Target:  ‘a significant and sustained reduction in violence against women and their children,’ during the next 12 years, from 2010 to 2022

National Outcomes:

  1. Communities are safe and free from violence
  2. Relationships are respectful
  3. Indigenous communities are strengthened
  4. Services meet the needs of women and their children experiencing violence
  5. Justice responses are effective; and
  6. Perpetrators stop their violence and are held to account

On 15 February 2011 the Australia Government published Safe and Free from Violence – The National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010-22 (The National Plan), outlining a12-year strategy to address domestic and sexual violence by coordinating action across all Australian governments and communities.  The National Plan is based on four three-year rolling Action Plans, with the 2010-13 Action Plan focussing on Building a Strong Foundation.  No new funding was announced with the National Plan itself, however, the Government has:

  • established a 24-hour telephone counselling hotline 1800 RESPECT, to support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
  • increased support for frontline workers and rewards States and Territories when they promote best practice perpetrator intervention
  • launched a social marketing campaign, The Line, which encourages young people to develop healthy, respectful relationships
  • committed to funding a new National Centre of Excellence for research into sexual assault and family and domestic violence
You can read more about the National Plan, its development and state and territory National Plan activities on FaHCSIA’s website.  Or you can access an Easy English version here and summaries in the information sheets below.  If you would like hard copies of the National Plan you can order by calling 1800 050 009.
National Plan Information Sheets

AWAVA is very supportive of the National Plan, particularly with its strong focus on prevention.  The National Plan has a long term focus – building respectful relationships and working to increase gender equality to prevent violence from occurring in the first place.

The National Plan is a must-read for anyone working to reduce violence against women.


National Women’s Alliances