opinion
Sabine Winton: Challenging the attitudes that underpin violence against women is everyone’s responsibility

When I was at school, nobody talked about family and domestic violence. It was a topic shrouded in silence, hidden behind closed doors, and treated as if it didn’t exist. Today, things are different. Conversations about this scourge are happening between friends, in workplaces, at schools, and in communities. The silence has been broken, and the momentum for change is growing. More action is being taken towards preventing gender-based violence than ever before. But as Western Australia’s Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, I know there is still much work to be done. Addressing this issue demands collective resolve, and sustained action from all of us. Today marks the conclusion of the State Government’s 16 Days in WA campaign, now in its eighth year. Running from 25 November to 10 December, this campaign is a call to action, urging Western Australians to play their part in the fight against gender-based violence. Throughout the campaign, it has been heartening to attend community events run by incredible stakeholders and listen to those with lived experience who courageously share their stories to help us all do better. But while the campaign may be ending, the momentum it creates will continue to grow. Family and domestic violence is utterly reprehensible. It is cowardly, relentless, and it cares nothing for postcode, race, culture, income or abilities. It often starts subtly — not necessarily with physical abuse but with words, attitudes, and behaviours that degrade, diminish, and control. Governments have a critical role to play in driving change, and the Cook Government takes our role seriously. During the campaign, we announced $86 million in additional funding to address family and domestic violence, bringing our total investment to more than half a billion dollars since coming to Government. This includes almost $19 million to support refuge services to continue to support victim-survivors, including those with complex needs. It also includes more than $8 million to pilot therapeutic programs for children and young people impacted by violence, because research shows that children who grow up in households with violence face lasting impacts, including an increased risk of experiencing or perpetrating violence in their own relationships. I’ve met with several victim-survivors at refuges who have shared their stories of being at a refuge with their own mother when they were a child. We must recognise children as victim-survivors in their own right. Challenging the attitudes that underpin violence against women is everyone’s responsibility, and the 16 Days in WA campaign is a reminder of this collective duty. It means fostering conversations in the home that empower children and young people to call out unacceptable behaviours. It means teaching the next generation to value respect and empathy. And as a former teacher and a mother to three daughters, I know firsthand how much these early lessons matter. That’s why we have launched a $5m public awareness campaign to educate the community on how to identify coercive control — a crucial step before we introduce a standalone criminal offence. The voices of those on the frontline and people with lived experience are also central to our efforts. Today, we will announce the establishment of our Lived Experience Advisory Group — formed from more than 190 expressions of interest — which will ensure that policies and programs are informed by the insights of those who understand this issue intimately. Importantly, we will also publish our first progress report on the implementation of the System Reform Plan, which envisages a system that better meets the needs of victim-survivors. So, as the 16 Days in WA campaign ends, we must ask ourselves: what comes next? The answer lies in every person in our community playing their part each and every day. Ending family and domestic violence is an achievable goal — a challenge we can meet if we all act in our own lives. Real change happens when governments like ours, individuals, families, workplaces, and communities take ownership of their role in creating a culture of respect and safety. Change is already happening. We see it in the growing awareness, the brave voices of victim-survivors, and the efforts of those working tirelessly on the frontlines. Ask yourself: what part can you play? Maybe it’s having a conversation with your children, challenging a mate’s disrespectful comment, or supporting a loved one experiencing family violence. It’s these moments, multiplied across our community, that build the foundation for lasting change. Together, we can transform this momentum into a future where all women and children are safe. Sabine Winton is Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence

opinionSabine Winton: Challenging the attitudes that underpin violence against women is everyone’s responsibility

opinion
Sabine Winton: Challenging the attitudes that underpin violence against women is everyone’s responsibility