Anthony Albanese’s blunt message to Australian men after the horrifying spike in the number of murdered women

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called on men in Australia to tackle high rates of domestic violence and abuse, following a horrific spike in the number of women killed by domestic violence this year.

He marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by declaring that “there is no time to lose” in ending violence against women and children.

‘It is not just the job of governments. Changing attitudes that entrench inequality and discrimination, objectify women, and ignore consent is everyone’s responsibility,” Albanese wrote in a statement.

‘Men in particular need to step up. And male leaders have the opportunity to effect change and create the conditions that prevent violence, abuse, discrimination and harassment.”

The Prime Minister said his government has taken “immediate and practical steps” to support victims of domestic abuse, but acknowledged there is still “a long way to go”.

His statement comes after renewed calls for a national royal commission into domestic violence, following the tragic deaths of four women in South Australia this week.

Figures show that one woman dies every fortnight at the hands of a former or current partner in Australia.

Since the beginning of the year, 53 women have been killed as a result of domestic violence, according to figures collected by advocacy group Destroy the Joint.

Despite making up only about 3 percent of the population, Indigenous women are murdered at three times the rate of non-Indigenous women.

Greens women’s spokesperson Senator Larissa Waters said the high rate of violence against women was an “epidemic” and called on the government to respond to the security sector’s call to invest $1 billion annually in crisis services.

“Every year on this day we recommit to ending sexual and physical violence against women around the world, but frontline services remain underfunded and women and children are turned away as a result,” she said.

‘Enough with empty promises.

Enough about ignoring the impact of financial insecurity and housing stress on women’s ability to leave. Enough is enough with the underfunding of services that women can access in times of crisis.”

Women’s Minister Katy Gallagher said timely and accurate data is “critical” to support efforts to end violence and ensure women’s safety.

Federal Labor has invested a total of $2.3 billion over five years in its National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children.

Today it announced a new statistical dashboard to be launched in mid-2024 that will provide access to quarterly reports on intimate partner homicide.

Women’s Minister Katy Gallagher said timely and accurate data is “critical” to support efforts to end violence and ensure women’s safety.

“One life lost to the homicide of an intimate partner is one too many,” she said.

The crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14 and the National Family Violence Advisory Service is on 1800 737 732.