Social Work contributions to the National Action Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children

Violence against women and children remains one of Australia's most significant social issues, with profound impacts on safety, health, wellbeing and community participation. Preventing violence and improving responses for victim survivors requires sustained collaboration between governments, communities, practitioners and researchers.

This year, researchers from the Department of Social Work contributed to consultations informing the Australian Government's Second Action Plan under the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children. The consultation process provides an important opportunity for governments to hear from researchers, practitioners, community organisations and people with lived experience about what is working, where gaps remain, and what action is needed to strengthen prevention, early intervention and response efforts.

The Department has a long-standing research focus on family violence, bringing together expertise in the experiences of victim survivors, children and young people affected by violence, and people who use violence. Working alongside community and sector partners, Social Work researchers contributed to multiple submissions on areas of particular expertise and advocacy. These contributions drew on evidence from research, evaluation and practice partnerships to help inform future policy directions and strengthen Australia's response to violence against women and children.