Policy and international context

Australian, state and territory governments have a range of initiatives to prevent and respond to family, domestic and sexual violence (FDSV). Policy plays an essential role in defining the overarching vision, priorities and course of action for ending violence. Policy also informs which data are important for monitoring progress and expanding the evidence base. This topic page provides an overview of Australia’s policy and international context in relation to FDSV.

Policy context in Australia

National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children

The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022 (the 2010–2022 National Plan) was the first plan to coordinate Australian, state and territory government action in this area. It focused on the 2 main types of violence experienced by women – domestic/family violence and sexual assault – and aimed to achieve a ‘significant and sustained reduction in violence against women and their children’. Since the release of the 2010–2022 National Plan, the awareness of family, domestic and sexual violence has grown, along with the evidence base. Key national initiatives during this time include the establishment of Our Watch, Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS), the 1800RESPECT service, and the Stop it at the Start campaign.

The second plan – the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032 (the National Plan) – was released in October 2022, with a vision to end gender-based violence in one generation. The scope is broader than the 2010–2022 National Plan, reflecting the evolving understanding and language around gender-based violence. In particular:

• While still focused on violence against women, children are recognised as experiencing violence in their own right (including exposure to violence), and gender-based violence against LGBTIQA+ people is also included.
• ‘Gender-based violence’ encompasses a broader range of violence than the term ‘family, domestic and sexual violence’ – it includes all violence, abuse and harassment in all settings (at home, work, school, in the community and online). Coercive control is also acknowledged as a significant part of the experience of violence.

The key objectives under each of the four domains of the National Plan – prevention, early intervention, response, and recovery and healing – will be implemented through 2 5-year Action Plans. The First Action Plan 2023-2027 outlines the initial scope of activities, areas for action and responsibility with respect to outcomes. The Outcomes Framework 2023–2032 will support monitoring and reporting over the life of the National Plan.

To address the high rates of violence Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) women and children experience, a dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan 2023–2025 has been developed which aligns with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. In the longer-term, a standalone First Nations National Plan will be developed.

Other national plans, agreements, strategies and frameworks

The National Plan is complemented by a range of other national initiatives of relevance to family, domestic and sexual violence:

• Target 13 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap aims to reduce all forms of family violence and abuse against First Nations women and children by at least 50 per cent by 2031, as progress towards zero.
• The National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021–2030 seeks to reduce the risk, extent and impact of child sexual abuse and related harms. It focuses on child sexual abuse in all settings, including in organisations, online, within families, and by other people known and unknown to the child.
• Safe and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021–2031 aims to reduce child abuse and neglect, and its intergenerational impacts. It supports the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, in particular, Target 12 which aims to reduce over-representation of First Nations children in out-of-home care by 45% by 2031.
• The National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians (Elder Abuse) 2019–2023 provides a framework for action to respond to abuse of older people. Its first priority area for action is to ‘build our understanding of abuse of older people, so we can better target our responses.’
• Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 is Australia’s national disability policy framework and sets out a plan for continuing to improve the lives of people with disability in Australia. It includes a Safety Targeted Action Plan, and its Outcomes Framework includes measures to decrease violence, abuse and neglect of women and children with disability.
• The National Women’s Health Strategy 2020–2030 outlines Australia’s national approach to improving the health of women and girls. ‘Health impacts of violence against women and girls’ is one of the five priority areas for action.
• The National Action Plan to Combat Modern Slavery 2020–25 provides the strategic framework for Australia’s response to modern slavery. Forms of modern slavery, such as forced marriage or servitude, may involve family or sexual violence.
• The national Work Plan to Strengthen Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Assault 2022–27 aims to improve the experiences of victim-survivors of sexual assault in the criminal justice system.
• A key aim of the national eSafety Strategy 2022–25 is to reduce online harm, including technology-assisted abuse.
• The Defence Strategy for Preventing and Responding to Family and Domestic Violence 2023–2028 and Department of Veterans’ Affairs Family and Domestic Violence Strategy 2020–25 aim to improve awareness and support for veterans and their families affected by family and domestic violence.
• A key goal of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Strategy is to support children to grow up in safe homes. This strategy supports a range of outcomes under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
• The National Action Plan for the Health of Children and Young People 2020–2030 identifies children and young people who experience violence and/or abuse as a priority group.
• The National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy acknowledges the impact of family, domestic and sexual violence on mental health.
• The National Preventive Health Strategy 2021–2030 and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013–2023 acknowledge violence and abuse as a social determinant of health outcomes.
• The National Drug Strategy 2017-2026 and the National Alcohol Strategy 2019–2028 acknowledge that drug and alcohol use contributes to domestic and family violence.

Additional national strategies on gender equality and injury prevention (including injury from violence) are in development.

State and territory government initiatives

State and territory governments have a range of jurisdiction-specific initiatives to prevent and respond to family, domestic and sexual violence that operate across a number of sectors, including health, justice and community services. This work aligns with the National Plan and includes:

International context

Australia has a range of international commitments and engagements to promote gender equality and the human rights of women and girls, which includes the elimination of sexual and gender-based violence. Examples include:

• Australia is a party to 7 core international human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• The elimination of violence against women and girls is part of Australia’s commitment to the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Australia engages in a range of international forums through the United Nations:
  • UN Women
  • Commission on the Status of Women
  • Group of Friends on the Elimination of Violence Against Women
  • Gender-Based Violence Action Coalition established by the Generation Equity Forum.
• Australia also supports the United Nations Security Council’s Women, Peace and Security agenda. The Second Australian National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2021–2031 sets out Australia’s strategy to support gender equality and human rights of women and girls in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. ‘Reduce sexual and gender-based violence’ is one of the four key outcomes for action.
• The International Engagement Strategy on Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery: Delivering in Partnership (2022) provides a framework for Australia’s international efforts, with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region. Key priorities include ending forced marriage and ending forced labour (including sexual exploitation).
• Australia is a founding member of the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-based Online Harassment and Abuse.
• The Ambassador for Gender Equality engages in international advocacy, public diplomacy, and outreach in support of Australian Government policies and programs on gender equality and the human rights of women and girls.