Anti-violence money directed at wrong end of the problem

Jun 2 2004

Millions of dollars allocated to this Sunday’s (June 6) launch of the federal government’s National Elimination of Violence Against Women Campaign would have been better directed to programs with long term vision, aimed at prevention of the attitudes leading to violence.

That is according to the Queensland Centre for Domestic & Family Violence Research (QCDFVR), in response to news that $13.7 million has been spent on the new campaign.

The campaign will include broadcast advertising, the national mail-out of a booklet and establishment of a phone counselling service for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The campaign is clearly focused on practical help for women experiencing domestic violence.

While welcoming the focus on violence against women, QCDFVR Director Heather Nancarrow said the initiative was duplicating previous campaigns that encourage victims of violence to seek help, without attempting to reduce the root causes of violence against women. “This band-aid approach seems to accept that violence is an inevitable feature of women’s lives,” Ms Nancarrow said.

“The majority of direct support services, including 1800 telephone support services, are already provided at a State and Territory level and the federal government should be supporting those initiatives, rather than duplicating them.

“The Queensland Government runs an annual community awareness campaign, which encourages victims to seek help and sends a clear message that there is ‘no excuse for abuse’. Queensland currently has a 7-day, 24-hour 1800 Telephone Service that struggles to meet demand.

“The $3.5 million wasted following the government’s change of direction in this campaign could have been better spent on funding programs aimed at addressing the attitudes and values that lead to violence. Domestic and family violence is a major public health issue that damages the entire community. This campaign will not specifically target young people, Indigenous people or challenge the foundations of a society that perpetuate violence against women.” The Queensland Centre for Domestic & Family Violence Research (QCDFVR) is based at Central Queensland University’s Mackay Campus. ENDS For details/interview call Dr Susan Rees or Michelle Bradford at the Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research on (07) 4940 7834 or 0417 703 989.

http://www.cqu.edu.au