The number of women killed by their partners in Australia jumped by almost a third in 12 months, according to a new report.
The Australian Institute of Criminology Homicide in Australia 2022–23 report has revealed a 28 per cent increase in female homicide cases as a result of intimate partners from 2021–22 to 2022–23.
The research program has run for the past three decades, with the aim to “identify as precisely as possible the characteristics of individuals that place them at risk of homicide victimisation.”
University of Wollongong Chief Integrity Officer and Professor of Law Trish Mundy said prevention strategies should be paramount.
“We need much more focus on preventing violence in the first place, addressing gender inequality and increasing our focus as a society on the primary prevention strategies,” Prof. Mundy said.
“Not only increasing the accessibility of these strategies and prevention policies but also providing support for those who have come out of these situations.
“If we don’t support their recovery and healing then cycles of violence will continue.”
The report also revealed women were the primary targets of intimate partner violence, with women making up 90 per cent of domestic homicide victims.
The 2021–22 Personal Safety Survey discovered 2.3 million women had experienced emotional abuse by a current or previous partner.
Prof. Mundy said emotional abuse is a form of coercive control that is often underlooked in domestic violence cases.
“Often the most insidious element of Domestic violence cases is coercive control, where perpetrators use particular behaviours that seek to control and manipulate,” she said.
“I don’t think those who police and respond to Domestic and Family violence cases understand how perpetrators control and exercise that control and coercive behaviours.”
Today, National Cabinet announced it would commit to providing support for domestic violence victims and survivors and would direct $925.2 million to establish the “Leaving Violence” program over the next five five years.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the program aimed to ensure women do not feel financially burdened to stay in an emotionally or physically violent situation.
“My government is absolutely committed to making progress to end family, domestic and sexual violence in one generation through our National Plan,” the Prime Minister said.
“Today’s announcement builds on our efforts to ensure fewer women feel trapped in a violent relationship because they don’t know if they can afford to leave.”
National Cabinet said the program would provide eligible victims and survivors with individualised financial support of up to $1,500 in cash and $3,500 in goods and services, alongside other referrals to essential services for up to 12 weeks.