The Government Will Spend $100 Million To Battle Domestic Violence

A week after telling the Today show “real men don’t hit women,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is making good on his pledge to battle domestic violence in Australia.

This morning, the Federal Government announced a $100 million package that will support victims of abuse and also attempt to change the national culture; the kind where two women a week are murdered through domestic violence.

Speaking at the package’s launch in Melbourne, the PM told reporters, “All violence against women begins with disrespecting women.”

"We have to make it as though it was un-Australian to disrespect women," he added.

Given that Australian police deal with a matter of domestic violence, on average, every two minutes, the package can’t come soon enough.

Australian of the Year Rosie Batty and new Minister for Women Michaelia Cash were also present at the unveiling.

A relieved Ms Batty told press, “We finally are starting to hear from the leaders of our country that they are addressing this issue; that they recognise the responsibility they have to lead our society, our communities, by speaking the language we need to hear.”

The $100 million will be spent on a number of initiatives, including further support training for police, social workers and emergency staff, as well as training for hospital staff to better recognise signs of domestic violence. A lawyer will also be available on-site at some hospitals, to provide counsel and assistance in those matters.

The Government will also provide up to 20,000 mobile phones over three years to women attempting to escape domestic abuse. Minister Cash added that they are working with telcos to figure out how women can avoid being tracked by abusive partners via their phone.

"What [the plan] does, it allows women to safely dispose of their own phones and block the perpetrators, but without losing access to their support network," she explained.

Another initiative will be the introduction of GPS tracking technology to keep tabs on abusers, as well as safety buttons for women that’ll allow them to call for help with ease.

The plan even involves education at an early age, with $5 million going to the expansion of the Safer Schools website, communicating to young people what it means to be in a respectful relationship.

What are your thoughts on the initiatives?