Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek has announced a parliamentary inquiry into suicide stemming from domestic, family and sexual violence in Australia.
It comes after a Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission report, which called for a united approach to end the scourge, and three years into the Albanese government's 10-year plan to end violence against women and children.
Plibersek, whose own daughter is a victim-survivor of an abusive relationship, said the "tragically common story" of gender-based violence can't be the norm for the next generation.
She said the inquiry was vital to understanding the full picture of domestic violence.
"Experts have told us that suicide risk for victims can be amplified through feelings of entrapment, fear of the perpetrator, and the cumulative effects of violence — both during and after a relationship," she told parliament.
"It is an unimaginable tragedy that for some women, life with the fear of abuse becomes intolerable."
Tanya Plibersek said it was an "unimaginable tragedy that for some women, life with the fear of abuse becomes intolerable". Source: AAP / Mcik Tsikas
"My plea to you is this: show through your behaviour every day what it is to be strong, to be loving, to be gentle, make your home a place that is safe and help build a society that is safe for women and children," Plibersek said.
"Be a role model, raise boys and girls who are strong and confident and free from violence."
Australian Institute of Criminology data revealed a 35 per cent increase in the number of women killed by intimate partners in 2023/24, following a 31 per cent rise the previous year.
Opposition women's spokesperson Melissa McIntosh said the statistics remained Australia's shame and painted a picture of a "nation in pain".
"We can and must move beyond the cycle of announcement and inaction, consultation, and instead move to effective implementation," she told parliament.
"Every woman and [child] across our country deserves to be safe, and it is our job to protect our citizens."
The report came at a critical juncture, and governments must act urgently to achieve its goal, sexual violence commissioner Micaela Cronin said.
She said Australia has "stood at crossroads like this before", including when four women were killed by men in South Australia in one week in 2023.
Among the 31 recommendations, the commission advised the government to establish a domestic family and sexual violence youth council, with children to become a priority in implementing the plan.
It recommended developing a national response to the rise of online misogyny and radicalisation, while also speeding up the establishment of standards for the National Men's Behaviour Change Program.
In 2023-24, 84 per cent of intimate partner homicides were perpetrated against women by men.
If you or someone you know is impacted by family and domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Readers seeking crisis support can ring Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged up to 25). More information and support with mental health is available at beyondblue.org.au and on 1300 22 4636.
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