There has been an increase in attention to family and domestic violence and recognition of the role Local Governments play in the culture and attitudes of their community through the services and initiatives they run at a local level. 

Family and domestic violence is a complex and concerning issue in Australia with significant long-term impacts for victims. Family and domestic violence is an ongoing pattern of behaviours intended to coerce, control or create fear between family members or in current or past intimate partner relationships. Family and domestic violence can happen to anyone of all ages and of all backgrounds at any time, however it predominantly affects women and children. Gender inequality, gender norms and stereotypes and attitudes towards women are all recognised as key drivers of family and domestic violence.

 Family and domestic violence behaviours can involve:

  • physical violence
  • sexual assault
  • verbal or emotional abuse
  • controlling behaviour
  • stalking
  • financial abuse, and
  • elder abuse.
Family and domestic violence can contribute to and cause anxiety and depression, suicide and self-harm, early pregnancy loss, alcohol and drug use and homelessness.

National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children 2010-2022

In August 2019, the Council of Australian Governments endorsed the Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022, agreeing on five national priorities to reduce family, domestic and sexual violence.
 

Our Watch: National Organisation

Our Watch was established in 2013 to address a recommendation from the Commonwealth Government’s National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010‐2022. Our Watch is the primary national violence prevention agency which aims to drive nationwide change in the cultures, behaviours and power imbalances that lead to violence against women by working closely with members to implement its strategies and initiatives. All State and Territory Governments are members of Our Watch.

In November 2015, Our Watch released Change the Story: A Shared Framework for the Primary Prevention of Violence Against Women and their Children in Australia (known as ‘Change the Story’) which was developed in partnership with the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), and Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS).
 

Prevention Toolkit for Local Government

The Commonwealth Department of Social Services initiated the development of the Prevention Toolkit for Local Government which was an action from the Third Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010‐2022. This required action was to “co-design tools and resources with Local Governments to engage with business, sporting organisations and community groups to promote action against violence.” WALGA was part of a reference group which guided the development of the toolkit. The toolkit was piloted in five Local Governments across Australia, including:
  • City of Charles Sturt, South Australia
  • Latrobe City Council, Victoria
  • Mackay Regional Council, Queensland
  • City of Mandurah, Western Australia
  • City of Parramatta Council, New South Wales.
Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) was engaged to provide guidance to the five Local Governments using the toolkit to appropriately plan, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of an action that addresses family and domestic violence. Local Governments were also supported in developing case studies of their trial actions that contributed to the final report by ANROWS released in June 2019.

The Commonwealth Government provided the toolkit to Our Watch to finalise. The toolkit was released in July 2020 and is available here.
 

WA Strategy to Reduce Family and Domestic Violence 2020-2030

In July 2020, the WA State Government released a strategy to reduce family and domestic violence. Path to Safety: Western Australia’s Strategy to Reduce Family and Domestic Violence 2020-2030 sets out a clear whole-of-government and community plan for reducing and responding to this issue over the next decade.
 

WALGA Webinar - February 2019

WALGA together with Injury Matters - Know Injury and the City of Mandurah have previously held a webinar for Local Governments in February 2019 and the webinar slides are available here.
 

WALGA Discussion Paper 2020

WALGA received different requests from two of the 17 WALGA Zones to analyse the role of WA Local Governments in addressing family and domestic violence. The requests were received from the South West Country Zone in March 2019 and the East Metropolitan Zone in November 2019. A discussion paper was prepared in response to the Zones and provides broad analysis of the initiatives currently being undertaken to address family and domestic violence, with discussion of the roles of all three levels of Government and comparison across States and Territories as well as Local Government Associations. The results from WALGA’s Local Government survey collected between September 2019 and January 2020 regarding family and domestic violence has also been included in this paper. In August 2020 the South West Country Zone and the East Metropolitan Zone reviewed the paper and endorsed the recommendations with some minor amendments. The paper was then subsequently open for feedback from all Local Governments, with the feedback received being incorporated. To view the paper click here.


WALGA Policy Position on Family and Domestic Violence

WALGA's 2020 discussion paper and recommendations were presented to WALGA State Council in December 2020. The following position was endorsed:

That:

1. WA Local Governments recognise the prevalence, seriousness and preventable nature of family and domestic violence and the roles that Local Governments can play in addressing gender equity and promoting respectful relationships in their local community.
 
2. WALGA advocates to the State Government:
  • a. to work with Local Government in defining the role and responsibilities and expectations of Local Governments in family and domestic violence.
  • b. for adequate funding for family and domestic violence programs and services, particularly in regional areas.
  • c. for appropriate resources and funding be allocated to Local Governments to implement any particular roles and actions addressing family and domestic violence as defined in the State Strategy.
  • d. to provide support to Local Government in the broader rollout of the Prevention Toolkit for Local Government.
  • e. to continue advocacy to the Commonwealth Government for additional funding and support.
3. WALGA organises presentations for Local Governments that address family and domestic violence, as part of relevant events or webinars.