ANROWS welcomes NSW Government investment in evidence-based women’s safety measures
MEDIA RELEASE | TUESDAY 21 JUNE 2022
The NSW Government’s $100 million investment in women’s safety initiatives in today’s budget reflects ANROWS evidence and is an important step in the effort to end violence against women and children.
ANROWS commends the NSW Government on the new measures, which include integrated service delivery, expanded referral pathways to support, funding to support employers to counter sexual harassment at work, and childcare reform that will aid women’s economic security.
ANROWS CEO Padma Raman welcomed the commitment to deliver more case management services to victims and survivors with complex needs.
“We know that in Australia, women with experiences of complex trauma typically have multiple needs. However, the majority of services are funded to address a particular issue or concern. Expanding referral pathways will support women to navigate multiple services and agencies in order to have their needs met.”
Associate Professor Michael Salter, lead researcher of the study “A deep wound under my heart”: Constructions of complex trauma and implications for women’s wellbeing and safety from violence, noted that “women experiencing domestic violence often have to manage the demands of multiple systems and services at the same time”.
“It can be bewildering and retraumatising. The funding boost for case managers and improved referral pathways will enhance the effectiveness of current services and ensure better coordination between vital parts of the system.”
ANROWS research also tells us that safety measures offered by the federal family courts – important safeguards against violence and abuse by perpetrators of family violence – can be lacking in NSW courts and tribunals, particularly in rural and regional settings.
“The investment to expand audio-visual link (AVL) facilities in approximately 50 NSW courts and tribunals will assist women experiencing domestic and family violence to give evidence safely,” Ms Raman said.
Measures announced include a taskforce involving regulator SafeWork NSW and funding allocated to assist employers to introduce anti-harassment initiatives within their workplaces. In line with the recommendations of the landmark Respect@Work report, this critical area requires significant investment. ANROWS evidence, in the form of findings from our Sexual Harassment Research Program 2021–2024, will guide further investment in this space.
“Collectively these projects will expand the evidence base on what is needed to assist workers in the Australian retail sector, provide responses to technology-facilitated sexual harassment at work, and provide insight into how we might address sexual harassment directed at migrant and refugee women and LGBTQ young people” Ms Raman said.
ANROWS research, conducted by the Australian Institute of Criminology and published earlier this year, found that economic insecurity was associated with an increased likelihood of intimate partner violence among women. For women leaving violence, affordable childcare is also essential.
In line with this evidence, the commitment by the NSW Government to address the high cost of childcare for NSW families will be important in both prevention and support for women who are experiencing domestic and family violence.
Padma Raman PSM, CEO of ANROWS is available for media interviews.
For further information or to arrange an interview please contact Michele Robinson at ANROWS on +61 417 780 556 or email michele.robinson@anrows.org.au
About ANROWS
Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety Limited (ANROWS) is a not-for-profit independent national research organisation.
ANROWS is an initiative of Australia’s National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022. ANROWS was established by the Commonwealth and all state and territory governments of Australia to produce, disseminate and assist in applying evidence for policy and practice addressing violence against women and their children.
ANROWS is the only such research organisation in Australia.