White Ribbon Day family violence announcement

The Victorian State Government has released a ten year plan in response to the outcomes of the Royal Commission into Family Violence ahead of White Ribbon Day and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women tomorrow.

Daniel Andrews announced this morning that approximately $600 million dollars will be used to set up crisis accommodation for victims of family violence. The plan requires allocating and refurbishing already existing public housing, building new public housing, and leasing a range of properties to make way for crisis accommodation.

Significantly, the State Government will also change the legislative rights of perpetrators to privacy, in favour of protecting victims of family violence. The law reforms will result in better information sharing between the different courts, the police and child protection agencies at the expense of perpetrator privacy.

Events on tomorrow for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women include the start of the Victoria Against Violence campaign. For 16 days commencing 25 November, a number of Melbourne landmarks and monuments will turn orange to bring recognition to the international campaign. The United Nations’ UNiTE campaign has chosen Orange to symbolise a brighter future without violence. A Walk Against Family Violence will also be leaving from Melbourne’s Federation Square at 1:00pm.

Staff from local RCT and Stringer Clark offices will also be participating in White Ribbon events to be held at Pakenham and Warrnambool.