24 March 2025

We are in the middle of a national domestic and family violence emergency. If the Commonwealth Government is serious about addressing this, it needs to demonstrate it on Federal Budget night.

“We need real action in tomorrow’s Federal Budget to end men’s use of family violence. This means significant investment,” said No to Violence CEO Phillip Ripper. No to Violence is Australia’s peak body for organisations working with men to end family violence.

“The domestic and family violence sector is stuck in crisis mode and the burden and risk remain with those experiencing violence. It’s past time to ‘Shift the Burden’ from those experiencing violence to those using it.” 

“We need a commitment to a National Strategy for People using Family Violence.”

“A dedicated National Strategy for People using Family Violence is required to shift the dial.  We must prioritise funding for frontline services, early intervention for men at risk of using violence and respond far earlier to those already using violence.”

“And we must respond in new ways. We need to rapidly scale up the range of responses to people using violence.”   

“We can’t keep doing what we’re doing an expect a different result – that’s why we need a dedicated strategy focusing on those who use family violence.”

Mr Ripper said expanding the Commonwealth Government’s existing Innovative Perpetrator Response initiative should form a key part of a dedicated National Strategy for People using Family Violence.  

“There is no one ‘type’ of person perpetrating family violence,” he said. “We need a broader suite of interventions that are targeted and flexible, effective and readily available. The paucity of programs is shocking in comparison to the scale of the problem.”

“The current patchwork approach encourages disconnection, slows down responses and loses sight of the person using violence.”

“We cannot afford to keep dropping the ball like this,” said Mr Ripper. “We are leaving gaping chasms in our systems and people using violence slip right through those holes, missing vital intervention points, avoiding accountability and ultimately leaving victim-survivors at increased risk.”

“We must stop merely plugging holes.  We need a strategic, coordinated approach to ending men’s use of family violence. We need a dedicated national strategy.”

No to Violence are calling on the Government to commit to five key actions tomorrow night:

• Commitment to a National Strategy for People using Family Violence. We will not end domestic, family and sexual violence without a strong, sustained and strategic focus on people using violence.
• Increase funding for frontline domestic, family and sexual violence services.
• Expanding the Innovative Perpetrator Response initiative to $215.92 million over 10 years.
• Establish a National Knowledge Hub focused on people using family violence to improve and expand our knowledge and ability to respond to people at risk of using or using family violence. $5.06 million over 5 years for establishment.

“We must invest in prevention, early intervention and recovery and healing so children, families and communities can thrive, free from violence,” Mr Ripper said.

For interviews please contact David Sutherland at davids@ntv.org.au or 0405 354 343

To find out more about keeping domestic, family and sexual violence at the forefront of the political agenda during the upcoming election campaign, visit our Campaign page.