Australia recently initiated a 16-day activism campaign aimed at combating gender-based violence, coinciding with a significant funding announcement from the federal government. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek revealed a funding increase of $41.8 million for 1800RESPECT, the national support service for domestic, family, and sexual violence. This boost comes as the organization faces an alarming 3,000 percent increase in demand since its inception in 2010 under the Gillard government.
Plibersek emphasized the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to addressing this critical issue, stating, “The Albanese Labor Government is proud to have invested more than any Government ever — over $4 billion — in keeping women and their children safe.” Despite this record funding, advocates express concern about the effectiveness of these measures, particularly in light of 2024 being the worst year on record for intimate partner homicides.
Advocates like Sherele Moody, the journalist behind Australian Femicide Watch, warn against complacency. Moody asserted, “We are in a national ‘women being killed’ crisis,” highlighting the persistent danger women face from both domestic and stranger violence. According to her analysis, more women are being killed now than at any point in the past decade.
As the year progresses, two advocacy groups have recorded a decrease in domestic and family violence murders. The project Counting Dead Women, initiated by the advocacy group Destroy the Joint, reported 43 women killed in 2025, a drop from 80 deaths in 2024. Moody’s alternative count, which encompasses all women who die from murder, manslaughter, or neglect, recorded 62 women and 24 children this year, compared to 105 women and 21 children last year.
Despite these figures suggesting a slight reprieve, concerns remain about the potential for increased violence during the holiday season, a period known for rising domestic incidents. Moody cautioned, “Every one of those 62 was loved and deserved to live,” and noted that she is monitoring multiple deaths where police determinations conflicted with family perceptions, indicating further tragic outcomes might emerge.
Meanwhile, Sarah Rosenberg, founder of the organization With You We Can, which assists victims of sexual violence, acknowledged an increase in public awareness regarding domestic violence. However, she pointed out that this awareness has not translated into meaningful action. “We’re still not funding action in the first place,” she remarked, criticizing the bureaucratic obstacles that hinder effective responses.
In 2022, the Albanese government introduced the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032, aiming to eradicate domestic and family violence within a generation. This initiative followed a previous national plan and was supported by a $4.7 billion funding boost following a Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches in 2024. Despite these efforts, domestic violence issues have failed to gain traction in the upcoming 2025 federal election.
Rosenberg identified several immediate solutions, or “low hanging fruit,” such as enhancing victim compensation and improving legal support for victims. She emphasized that the key to addressing the crisis lies in adequately funding frontline services. A report from the University of Western Australia’s Public Policy Institute indicated a need for an additional $240 million to eliminate funding gaps for services supporting survivors of sexual violence.
“The burden for ending the crisis falls on the victims and over-strained services,” Rosenberg concluded, emphasizing the pressing need for tangible outcomes rather than bureaucratic jargon.
For individuals affected by family and domestic violence, support is available through 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732, via text at 0458 737 732, or by visiting 1800RESPECT.org.au. In emergencies, individuals are advised to call 000. The Men’s Referral Service, operated by No to Violence, can be reached at 1300 766 491.
