May 1st 2024.
The federal government has announced the establishment of the Leaving Violence Program, which will receive a total of $925 million over the next five years. This fund aims to provide support for individuals who are trying to escape abusive relationships. Those who qualify for the program will receive financial assistance of $5000, as well as access to safety assessments and referrals to support services.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following a national cabinet meeting this morning. Along with the Leaving Violence Program, a number of other measures to combat violence against women were also discussed. These included the introduction of legislation to ban the creation and distribution of deepfake pornography and the launch of a new phase of the Stop It At The Start campaign, which will run until 2025.
According to Albanese, one of the key focuses of the campaign will be to combat the spread of violent and misogynistic content online. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland highlighted the need for collaboration between governments, regulators, civil society, and online platforms to ensure the safety of online spaces. She also stressed the importance of platforms enforcing their existing terms of service and the government exploring potential measures to hold them accountable.
In addition to these measures, the government will be undertaking classification reforms with states and territories to reduce exposure to violent pornography. The review of the Online Safety Act, which was originally scheduled for next year, has been brought forward to August to address emerging online threats and harms.
Albanese emphasized that violence against women is a national crisis and called for a collective effort to address the issue. He also outlined longer-term priorities, including holding perpetrators accountable and providing better support for victims. Prevention work and addressing the impact of domestic and family violence in First Nations communities will also be a focus.
Regarding the justice system, state and territory governments will work towards achieving greater uniformity and effectiveness in dealing with violent offenders. The possibility of a national offenders register was discussed and, according to Albanese, there is a general consensus on exploring this idea further.
In case of immediate danger, individuals are encouraged to call triple zero. For ongoing support, the National Domestic Violence Service can be reached at 1800 RESPECT. The government is committed to addressing the issue of violence against women and will continue to work towards creating a safer society for all.
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