A journalist, a former assistant police commissioner and a men’s health research director are among the group of experts tasked by the Albanese government to conduct a rapid review into how to best prevent violence against women and children.
In the wake of a devastating spate of domestic and family violence deaths – and as part of their broader plan to end violence against women in one generation – Labor this month pledged a suite of reforms, including $1.3m for a quick review to target prevention approaches to violence against women.
The expert panel, tasked with providing advice to the government, will meet for the first time on Tuesday, and will be headed up by domestic, family and sexual violence commissioner Micaela Cronin, executive director of the Commonwealth Office for women Padma Raman, and social services secretary Ray Griggs.
Jess Hill, a renowned journalist, author and educator will sit on the panel alongside Zac Seidler from Movember, and former Victoria Police assistant commissioner Leigh Gassner.
Author and activist Anne Summers, who played a key part in establishing Australia’s first women’s refuge, will also provide advice, as will diversity and inclusion consultant Todd Fermando, and Elena Campbell from RMIT.
The group will consult with major stakeholders, including Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety, via a series of roundtables before they make recommendations to the federal government before the end of the year.
They will be asked to look at opportunities to strengthen and better target prevention efforts, and will engage with determinants, risk factors and pathways for gender-based violence.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said ending violence against women in one generation would not be possible unless the government took a “considered focus on perpetrator intervention and prevention activities”.
“It’s vital we get this right,” she said.
Anthony Albanese said the review would be crucial in ensuring the government could “help end” the scourge of domestic violence.
“We recognise that governments need to act, but we also recognise that this is an issue for the whole of society,” the Prime Minister said.
“Women should not be responsible for ending violence against women.
“This rapid review will bring together experts and provide practical advice to government to help us end the scourge of domestic violence.”
Women’s Minister Katy Gallagher said the panel would provide “important advice”.
“We know this is a crisis and this violence must stop. The advice from this review will inform the government’s approach to enable us to adopt further evidence-based, targeted ways to stop violence, both before it starts and from escalating,” she said.