The program offers tailored support for those at risk of forced marriage, starting January 2025, with funding for health, counselling, legal aid, and emergency.
The Albanese Labor government is establishing a Forced Marriage Specialist Support Program, investing over $9.3 million (US$6 million) in the not-for-profit organisation Life Without Barriers to deliver services nationwide.
The program will provide intensive, tailored support for people at risk of or who have experienced forced marriage. Funds will be allocated over four years.
Services will commence in January 2025 and cover health, wellbeing, and social support, including access to counselling, legal services, and emergency accommodation if necessary.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the program’s primary goal is to help victims and survivors gain independence and self-determination.
“Funding provided to Life Without Barriers will give victims and survivors of forced marriage access to intensive and tailored case-managed support while they explore their options and legal rights,” Rishworth said.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Justine Elliot, will meet with stakeholders at a roundtable meeting on human trafficking and slavery to provide updates on the specialist program.
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Dreyfus noted, “Forced marriage is a deeply distressing form of modern slavery, with significant impacts on victims, their families, and communities.”
Rising Domestic Violence Rates
In August this year, the inaugural Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence Report revealed alarming statistics, with 43 women murdered by their partner in the 2023 financial year, along with an 11 percent rise in sexual violence cases.
Michaela Cronin, the domestic violence commissioner, indicated urgency to address this issue.
“These numbers reflect a reality that many prefer to avoid, yet it is one that advocates bravely bring to light, demanding that we confront these issues head-on,” she said.
Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Justine Elliot, highlighted the frequency of gender violence in Australia, reporting that over 5,000 calls were made to police each week concerning such violence.
“For too many women, home is the most dangerous place,” she said, acknowledging the deep-rooted fears many women face.”
Deputy Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley also expressed concern that current efforts were insufficient.
“Rates of reporting incidents of family and domestic violence have risen by up to 16 percent annually across Australia. We know that most women who experience male violence do not report the incident to police,” she said.
She noted the rise in fatalities, with 35 women already killed this year due to family and domestic violence, leaving at least 55 children without their mothers.
From Nov. 25 to Dec. 10, Australian Parliament House in the evenings glows orange to mark the 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence.
