AWAVA continues to lobby for the inclusion of the status of being a victim/survivor of domestic or family violence as an additional protected attribute and supports an express protection for victims of domestic violence covering all areas of public life. The consolidation of federal discrimination laws into a single act is an opportune time to include such a protected attribute. Protections are needed to assist women who have experienced/are experiencing domestic violence or sexual violence to reduce further social and financial disadvantage.
AWAVA’s submission to the inquiry was supported by three of the issues-based Commonwealth-funded National Women’s Alliances: AWAVA, Equality Rights Alliance (ERA) and economicsecurity4women (eS4W) and fully or partially endorsed by 32 members and/or Friends & Supporters of AWAVA.