Australian leaders have declared the rates of gender-based violence against women a “national crisis”, prompting an emergency meeting of key figures to address the scale of gender-based violence.
At least 26 women have died in Australia in 2024 in violent attacks, according to figures compiled by the research project group Counting Dead Women Australia.
This represents a significant increase from the same time period last year.
Crisis meeting
The Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin has called a crisis meeting for May 7 in response to the rising rates of gender-based violence.
The meeting will bring together decision-makers, academics, and key organisations addressing gender-based violence.
Amani Haydar, Tarang Chawla and Alison Scott – who have all lost women in their families due to gender-based violence – will also attend the meeting.
The national roundtable will specifically look at ways to deliver the Federal Government’s National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
Theaims to eradicate gendered violence through bettering prevention, early intervention, responses to violent incidents, and recovery.
The roundtable will also focus on the disproportionately high rates of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
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Government response
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was “horrific” that more than one woman a week has been killed at the hands of a partner or an ex-partner.
Albanese admitted governments need to do more to help women and prevent violence. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton echoed these calls, saying “society is failing [women] at the moment”.
Last week, Attorney General Mark Dreyfus said: “It’s time for men to step up” to combat gender-based violence.
Rallies
A range of protests are taking place across Australiato call for more action on gender-based violence, under the banner “No More: National Rally Against Violence”.
The first rallies will begin in Ballarat and Newcastle tonight, continuing in Sydney and Adelaide tomorrow, and then at eight more locations on Sunday.
Call: 1800 737 732
Text: 0458 737 732
Video: 1800RESPECT.org.au
