The COAG Women’s Safety Council held their inaugural meeting via teleconference on 30 March 2020 and second meeting on 2 April 2020. The Council was co-chaired by the Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne and Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator the Hon Anne Ruston.

The Council met to discuss approaches to address the impact of COVID-19 on women and children who are experiencing or are at risk of, family and domestic violence.

Incidents of family and domestic violence are expected to increase as a result of changed living arrangements due to COVID-19. While Australians must stay home to help slow the spread of COVID-19, for many women and children, home is not a safe place.
The Council welcomed the Government’s emergency $150 million funding to support family and domestic violence services. This funding will ensure support is available to those who need it over the next six months. The funding boost will help those experiencing violence in the following areas:

• Safer housing and emergency accommodation
• Counselling and outreach
• Crisis support and helplines
• Men’s behaviour change programs and other perpetrator interventions
• Assisting frontline services to manage demand and explore new technology-based service delivery options
• Respond to challenges in regional, remote and rural communities

To find out more about the COAG Women’s Safety Council and to view the Communique and Terms of Reference, visit COAG Women’s Safety Council.

Help is available if you, or someone you know, is experiencing violence. In the case of an emergency call 000. For information, support and counselling contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit www.1800respect.org.au or Mensline at www.mensline.org.au.