SIMON Corbell and Yvette Berry have launched the 2nd Implementation Plan under the ACT Prevention of Violence against Women Strategy 2011 to 2017.

Yvette said the plan highlighted the need for the whole community to be involved in upholding and respecting the rights of women and children to live free from the fear and experience of violence.

“The issue of domestic, family violence and sexual assault against women and children is one that affects everyone,” Yvette said.

“It is an issue that is not often thought about outside of the immediate crisis responses provided to women and children, however it is often at the core of some of the most complex issues faced by members of our community.

“Violence against women and children will not be tolerated in our community.”

Simon said the implementation plan recognises there is a need to further improve both the government and the community’s understanding of and responses to diverse experiences of violence.

“This includes the experiences and needs of women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community members experiencing domestic and family violence and sexual assault,” Simon said.

Five key priorities have been identified for the next two years including:
· driving a whole of community and government action plan to prevent violence and create and anti-violence culture;
· understanding diverse experiences of violence;
· supporting innovative services and joined up service systems;
· improving perpetrator interventions so that men are held accountable and supported to change their behaviour; and
· continuing to build the evidence base.

Mr Corbell said the new direction will ensure work across government and the community sector is consistent in its directions and focuses on where change can be most effective.