MEDIA RELEASE

 

Blueprint for Reform

Removing Barriers to Safety for Victims/Survivors of Domestic and Family Violence Who Are on Temporary Visas

WESNET is excited to be involved in the development and launch of the Blueprint for Reform: Removing Barriers to Safety for Victims/Survivors of Domestic and Family Violence Who Are on Temporary Visas.

The Blueprint for Reform is the culmination of work by the National Advocacy Group on Women on Temporary Visas Experiencing Violence, aimed at ensuring safety and justice to victims/survivors of family violence, regardless of visa status and type.

We know that temporary visa holders experiencing family violence in Australia face multiple barriers to accessing safety, support, and justice. These barriers can cause women to remain in situations that are harmful and dangerous.

As the Australian Government moves towards implementing the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032, it is imperative that all women and children are given access to safety and stability.

 

 

The Blueprint for Reform recognises and responds to a range of barriers for women on temporary visas. The services system is too complex and often inaccessible. When a temporary visa holder experiences family violence in Australia, her visa status determines whether she can access social security, working rights, childcare, free public health, and housing support.

These barriers are used frequently by perpetrators of family violence to further coerce and control victims/survivors.

This Blueprint includes recommendations to ensure victims/survivors access the safety and support they need in four key steps:

  1. Improve the migration system so that all women on temporary visas who experience domestic, family and sexual violence and their dependants can access protections, services and justice.
  2. Expand eligibility and access to social security (including Medicare) for women on temporary visas who are experiencing domestic and family violence.
  3. Expand eligibility and access to social and public housing for women on temporary visas who are experiencing domestic and family violence.
  4. Ensure long-term and sustainable funding for specialist and legal services that support women on temporary visas who are experiencing or are at risk of domestic, family and sexual violence.

The National Advocacy Group are experts from across Australia who are calling on the Australian Government to adopt the recommendations.

Adopting and implementing the recommendations in the Blueprint will help to ensure the safety of all victims/survivors of family violence.

 

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Media and other queries should be directed to the Executive of the National Advocacy Group, [email protected].