In Australia
COVID Pandemic
The primary focal point of violence against women over the past five years has been the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies have shown that the pandemic has worsened violence against women and its consequences.
Some have even likened gender-based violence during the COVID-19 era to a parallel crisis and have described gender-based violence in the era of COVID-19 as a “twin” or “shadow” pandemic.
However, despite a surge in incidents in 2020, alternative evidence suggests explanations for the increase, including situational stressors such as:
- lockdowns necessitating close ongoing contact between victims and survivors and perpetrators;
- job losses leading to economic hardship;
- reduced access to support services (particularly face-to-face services);
- and a range of other individual exacerbating factors.
Policy Progress
In 2021, a review of the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 led to reforms aimed at facilitating easier reporting of harassment and discrimination by employers. Notably, mandatory reporting on sexual harassment was enforced from April 1, 2024.
Moreover, community pressure has prompted changes in the legal definition of sexual assault, with affirmative consent becoming a standard in some jurisdictions. New South Wales, for instance, was the first state to have implemented laws requiring active confirmation of consent during sexual activity, acknowledging the right to withdraw consent at any point.
Coercive Control
Similar progress has been made in addressing coercive control, a form of domestic violence involving patterns of abusive behaviour aimed at exerting power over another person.
The Australian Government released a consultation draft of National principles to address coercive control in September 2022, intending to guide a coordinated approach encompassing criminalisation, prevention, intervention, response, and recovery.
Notably, New South Wales has become the first state to establish a standalone offense for coercive control following the passage of legislation in 2022, with other states considering similar measures.