Plan to stop violence against women and children unveiled as Lula Dembele joins advocates

A survivor campaigner has collapsed as she delivered an emotional speech at the launch of an ‘ambitious’ new 10-year plan to end violence against women and children within one generation.

Survivors lawyer Lula Dembele gave an impassioned speech at the event on Monday with tears streaming down her face as she called on Australia to do better.

“It’s time to stop people and institutions from using violence,” she said.

“This is an opportunity to change our nation. Change is possible.’

The ten-year plan, called the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032, was unveiled Monday by the federal government at Monash University in Melbourne.

It is the second national plan to end domestic violence after then Prime Minister Julia Gillard released the first plan in 2010.

The updated plan aims to interact with men and boys and create respectful relationships at all ages, while also addressing sexual violence in all settings.

Ms Dembele is a passionate advocate for survivors of child sexual abuse, having survived sexual assault and rape when she was just three and four years old.

Supporter of survivor Lula Dembele gave an impassioned speech at the event on Monday, with tears streaming down her face as she called on Australia to do better

Ms Dembele shared a statement on social media in November, describing the abuse she endured by a man her mother was dating after her parents split.

Her mother intervened immediately after taking her daughter to a doctor and realizing she had been raped.

“I remember being taken to the children’s hospital for an examination. I remember sitting in the waiting area with my mom and being nervous,” she wrote.

“I remember feeling like I wanted to protect my mother from their judgment. My mother fought so many barriers, internal and external, and tried to act in my best interest and yet she was convicted.’

Women’s Security Minister Amanda Rishworth said the national plan can be broken down into four main strands: prevention, early intervention, response and cure and recovery.

“We know that if we don’t focus equally on these areas, we won’t see an end to violence against women and children,” she told reporters.

“It is critical to hold accountable those who choose to use violence against women and children… it should not be left to survivors to explain or feel ashamed when it comes to violence against women and children.” children.’

Ms Rishworth said there needed to be a change in conversations about domestic and family violence.

For example, how often do you hear people say ‘why didn’t she leave?’ I mean, the main question is, “Why does he choose to use violence against her?” she said.

“We need to promote more respectful relationships. We really need to increase gender equality. All these things play a role in actually tackling violence against women and children.’

The decade-long plan, called the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032, was unveiled Monday by the federal government at Monash University (Photo: March Against Domestic Violence in 2015)

“It’s time to stop people and institutions from using violence,” said Ms Debele. “This is an opportunity to change our nation. Change is possible’

Statistics show that every 10 days a woman dies at the hands of her former or current partner in Australia.

One in three women has experienced physical violence and one in five has experienced sexual violence.

The national plan will also focus on how gender inequality encourages violence against women.

The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomed the plan and called on all levels of government to provide the necessary funds.

“It is encouraging that all Australian governments have supported the plan and ambitious goal to end gender-based violence within a generation,” said Kate Jenkins, Commissioner for Gender Discrimination.

‘To make this a success, all governments will have to invest heavily in prevention and recovery strategies.’

The national plan will also focus on how gender inequality fuels violence against women (Photo: International Women’s March in Sydney, 2020)

NT Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Prevention Kate Worden said the plan’s focus on protecting Indigenous women was vital.

“In the Northern Territory, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, women are 18 times more likely to be victims of domestic and sexual violence,” she told reporters.

“They’re also 40 times more likely to end up in hospital as a result of that violence…we really welcome that new focus.”

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