Advocate hopeful of new draft action plan to end sexual violence at universities
Last week, Federal Education Minister, Jason Clare released the draft action plan addressing gender-based violence in higher education.
Expert Advisor to the Education Minister’s Commonwealth led Universities Accord governance Working Group and Our Watch CEO, Patty Kinnersly said the plan outlines the immediate actions like improving support for victim-survivors while working to transform culture that allows violence to occur.
The draft plan follows persistent calls from advocates as incidents of sexual violence in university spaces saw an increase from 215 per week in 2017 to 275 per week in 2021.
Speaking with The Wire in July, End Rape on Campus Director, Sharna Bremner discussed an open letter calling on the Government for major change in addressing growing incidents of sexual violence. What potentials could this proposed plan offer?
The plan is currently open for consultation.