A paper released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) marks an important step towards developing a more comprehensive understanding of family, domestic and sexual violence across Australia.
The paper, Defining the data challenge for family, domestic and sexual violence, sets the scene for developing nationally consistent data on this type of violence.
The Minister for the Status of Women, Julie Collins, said the paper delivers on a commitment made by all governments under the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.
"Under the National Plan, Women's Ministers from all states and territories agreed to prioritise work on improving data collection and to have nationally consistent data definitions and collection methods up and running by 2022.
"At their meeting in November 2012, Women's Ministers endorsed the release of the paper as a valuable tool for data experts and researchers."
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, Bernie Ripoll, said the paper identifies the range of information on family, domestic and sexual violence that can be counted and captured.
"The ABS has provided a much needed tool for policy makers and service providers to better understand the complexities and challenges that domestic and sexual violence raises for individuals and communities," Mr Ripoll said.
"The paper takes us a step closer towards receiving a clearer picture of the complex nature of domestic and sexual violence across Australia."
Ms Collins said nationally consistent reporting will also make it easier to measure progress against the National Plan's goal of reducing violence against women.
"According to the ABS, one in three Australian women since the age of 15 has experienced physical violence and one in five has experienced sexual violence - this situation is unacceptable and must be changed.
"We can only change what we can measure. Identifying the specifics of the challenge ahead of us is how we can make sustained change.
"Eradicating violence against women and their children is a key priority for the Australian Government.
"The National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010-2022 brings together the efforts of governments across the nation to reduce violence against women.
"The Australian Government has committed $86 million to initiatives under the National Plan," Ms Collins said.
A copy of the paper is available on the ABS website. Hard copies are available by calling 1800 050 009.
7 February 2013