Australia is once again confronting the critical issue of women’s safety, a topic dominating national discourse amidst a surge of violence and sexual assault allegations. While governments express a renewed commitment to accelerating action, the persistent question remains: after extensive recommendations and significant financial investment, is the challenge now less about identifying solutions and more about effective implementation? Compounding this, new forms of harm are emerging at a pace that outstrips the capacity of current laws and governmental responses.
Assessing Progress and Future Directions
During a recent national cabinet meeting, leaders acknowledged that rates of intimate-partner homicide and sexual violence remain at “unacceptably high” levels. In response, priorities for the next five-year strategy to combat these issues were established. The upcoming progress reports from states and territories will cover initiatives related to sexual violence, judicial responses, education on respectful relationships, standards for men’s behaviour-change programs, the provision of emergency accommodation, and alcohol reforms. A new national framework for assessing family and domestic violence risk has also been endorsed. This framework aims to ensure that warning signs are consistently recognised across all jurisdictions, whether individuals interact with police, general practitioners, or hospitals.
However, the decision to grant states two years to align their systems with this new framework has drawn criticism for its perceived lack of urgency, particularly given the stated goal of acceleration. Crossbench parliamentarians, including Allegra Spender, Dai Le, Helen Haines, and Andrew Wilkie, are advocating for the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission to be granted enhanced authority. Australia is currently at the midpoint of its 10-year national plan, which set an ambitious target of ending gender-based violence within a generation. This juncture presents a crucial opportunity to evaluate the achievements of the first five years and identify necessary adjustments for the subsequent period.
Calls for Greater Accountability and Transparency
A coalition of over a dozen crossbenchers recently communicated with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, expressing concerns that despite numerous inquiries and substantial funding, governments have failed to adequately demonstrate the allocation of resources or the effectiveness of interventions in reducing harm. These parliamentarians propose empowering the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission by establishing it as a statutory body. Such a designation would enable the commission to compel information, monitor the implementation of recommendations, and audit spending. Proponents argue this would provide a clearer understanding of which strategies are proving successful and enhance the ability to hold the nine governments responsible for addressing this issue accountable.
Allegra Spender highlighted the significance of this proposed change, stating, “Giving the commission the power to measure and assess the effectiveness of our policies is the key that could unlock the real change our communities want to see.” This push for greater transparency and accountability underscores a desire for tangible progress beyond existing efforts.
Emerging Threats in the Digital Age
While implementation remains a central challenge, the nature of the threats themselves is evolving rapidly, particularly within the online sphere. The current national plan, formulated only a few years ago, did not fully anticipate the swift changes occurring in the digital environment. Chanel Contos, founder of the advocacy group Teach Us Consent, has initiated a campaign urging the federal government to address the impact of social media algorithms, proposing that they become an opt-in feature for users.
Contos warns that algorithms are increasingly exposing young boys and men to content that frames women and minority groups as the source of their societal grievances. She explained on the Insiders podcast, “Social media algorithms, it may not be clear the link of that to violence against women and children, but if you peel back some layers, you can imagine that we have this profit model that is based on promising outrage, fear, insecurity, desire, arousal, any strong emotions. And young boys and men are prime targets for that.” While acknowledging the government’s broader efforts, Contos contends that failing to regulate algorithms demonstrates a lack of seriousness regarding the issues most affecting young people, particularly women who disproportionately bear the brunt of this online harm.
The Rise of Covert Recording Devices
Another significant technological advancement outpacing policy development is the proliferation of wearable smart devices capable of covertly recording audio and video. Devices such as smart glasses, often marketed online, have been found to contain footage of individuals who were unaware they were being filmed. These devices, sometimes referred to as “creepy” or “pervert glasses,” have been used to create content where men secretly record women in various public and private settings, including workplaces, gyms, and on the street.
Gina Martin, known for her successful campaign to criminalise upskirting in England, is now actively campaigning in Australia against Kmart’s Anko brand “surveillance glasses,” priced at $89. Her petition calling for the removal of these devices from sale has garnered over 56,000 signatures. Martin asserts that such products should not be available for purchase, especially when legal protections for individuals are lagging behind the technology.
In response to these concerns, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland has requested the Privacy Commissioner to prioritise the issue of smart glasses due to the potential risks they pose to women and children. Rowland stated that the government is continuing to advance privacy reforms to ensure that Australian laws are adequate for the digital age. However, the ongoing sale of these devices highlights the urgency of the situation.
Addressing Intergenerational Violence and New Forms of Harm
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek has expressed significant concern regarding the rise in sexual violence involving individuals under the age of 18, where both victims and perpetrators are minors. She recognises that the forthcoming five-year national action plan must extend beyond addressing long-standing deficiencies in policing, housing, judicial processes, and support services. The plan needs to confront emerging forms of gendered harm that were not prevalent when the previous strategy was conceived.
Recent, unrelated allegations involving young people and prominent institutions, such as the Sydney Swans AFL club, have intensified the immediate political pressure to act decisively. The success of the next five-year plan will hinge not only on accelerating existing initiatives but also on demonstrating that governments can effectively adapt to and manage a problem that is continuously evolving.
Conclusion: The Imperative for Adaptive and Effective Action
Australia’s commitment to ending violence against women and children faces a critical juncture. While the foundational plans and financial commitments are in place, the challenge now lies in robust implementation and adaptation. The emergence of new threats, amplified by digital technologies and covert recording devices, necessitates a proactive and agile governmental response. Strengthening the oversight capabilities of bodies like the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission and updating legal frameworks to address the realities of the digital age are crucial steps. Ultimately, achieving the goal of ending gender-based violence requires not just sustained effort but also a willingness to evolve strategies in lockstep with the changing landscape of harm.
