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Impact Housing National Strategic Alliance 

What is Domestic Violence?

 

Domestic violence refers to abusive behaviours used by one person in a relationship to control or dominate another. It can involve physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial abuse and often includes coercive and controlling behaviours.

 

Both men and women can experience domestic violence, though women are disproportionately affected, particularly in severe cases.

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  • Statistics:

    • 1 in 4 Australian women and 1 in 13 men experience violence from an intimate partner.

    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are 32 times more likely to be hospitalized due to family violence than non-Indigenous women.

 

Government Responses

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Federal Initiatives

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  1. National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022–2032

    • A 10-year strategy to end gender-based violence.

    • Focus areas:

      • Prevention and early intervention.

      • Support and safety for survivors.

      • Addressing perpetrator accountability.

    • Includes significant funding for services and public awareness campaigns.

  2. Safe Places Emergency Accommodation

    • Funding for new emergency shelters for survivors, particularly women and children.

    • Expansion of crisis accommodation facilities nationwide.

  3. Respect@Work Council

    • Implements recommendations from the Respect@Work Report, addressing workplace harassment and domestic violence's economic impacts.

  4. National Domestic Violence Helpline

    • A 24/7 support service for survivors: 1800 RESPECT.

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State and Territory Programs

  • Queensland: The Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy includes crisis housing and financial support for survivors.

  • New South Wales: The NSW Domestic and Family Violence Blueprint for Reform focuses on integrated service delivery.

  • Victoria: Significant investments in prevention and response programs, including family violence hubs under the Family Violence Rolling Action Plan.

 

Advocacy Groups and Community Initiatives

  1. Our Watch

    • Focuses on prevention through cultural change campaigns like Change the Story and Respectful Relationships programs in schools.

  2. White Ribbon Australia

    • Engages men and boys to prevent violence against women through education and advocacy.

  3. ANROWS (Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety)

    • Conducts research to inform policies and programs addressing domestic violence.

  4. Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service (FVPLS)

    • Provides culturally sensitive legal services and support to Indigenous communities.

  5. Men’s Referral Service

    • Helps men address abusive behaviours and connects them to behavioural change programs.

 

Legal Framework for Domestic Violence

Protection Laws

  1. Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs) / Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs):

    • Court-issued orders to protect victims by restricting the offender’s behavior.

    • Breaching these orders is a criminal offense.

  2. Family Law Act 1975:

    • Mandates that the safety of children and family members is a primary consideration in family law disputes.

  3. Criminal Laws:

    • Assault, coercion, stalking, and harassment are criminal offenses across Australia.

    • Many states recognize coercive control as a form of domestic abuse, with criminalization in jurisdictions like NSW and Queensland.

 

Gender-Specific Considerations

  1. Support for Women:

    • Women’s refuges, legal aid, and counseling services are widely available.

    • The Women's Economic Security Package offers financial support to help survivors rebuild their lives.

  2. Support for Men:

    • Recognition of male victims is increasing, with services like the Men's Referral Service and programs offering refuge for male survivors and their children.

  3. Perpetrator Accountability:

    • Behavior change programs and mandatory counseling for offenders.

    • Laws to seize firearms from perpetrators and impose strict bail conditions.

 

Challenges and Future Directions

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  1. Challenges:

    • Overcrowding in shelters and a lack of affordable housing for survivors.

    • Disproportionate rates of violence against Indigenous women and other vulnerable groups.

    • Limited access to culturally appropriate and gender-inclusive support services.

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  1. Future Directions:

    • Criminalizing coercive control nationwide (in progress in some states).

    • Expanding trauma-informed care in the legal and support systems.

    • Greater focus on prevention strategies targeting societal attitudes and norms.

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Key Contacts

  • 1800 RESPECT: National helpline for domestic violence survivors (1800 737 732).

  • Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491 for male victims or perpetrators seeking help.

  • Lifeline: 13 11 14 for emotional support and crisis intervention.

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By integrating governmental initiatives, advocacy efforts, and legal protections, Australia aims to address domestic violence comprehensively, creating a safer and more equitable society.

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Domestic Violence 

Funding, and how builders, developers and investor can make an impact 

Builders, investors, communities, developers, and financiers can play a transformative role in addressing domestic violence by creating safe, accessible, and sustainable housing solutions. Their involvement not only provides immediate shelter to survivors but also contributes to breaking the cycle of abuse by fostering long-term stability and empowerment. Here's how they can help:

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Builders

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  1. Construct Purpose-Built Safe Housing

    • Develop crisis shelters and transitional housing tailored to the needs of survivors, including security features such as controlled access, emergency alarms, and privacy-focused layouts.

    • Build safe spaces with family-friendly designs, accessibility for people with disabilities, and culturally sensitive facilities for diverse groups, including Indigenous communities.

  2. Repurpose Existing Properties

    • Renovate underused commercial or residential buildings into emergency shelters or long-term housing for survivors.

    • Focus on cost-efficient retrofitting to make properties immediately habitable.

  3. Sustainable Building Practices

    • Use environmentally friendly and cost-effective designs to minimize operational costs for service providers, ensuring long-term affordability and sustainability.

  4. Provide Pro Bono Services

    • Partner with nonprofits or governments to offer discounted or free construction services for domestic violence housing projects.

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Investors

  1. Impact Investments

    • Invest in social housing funds or public-private partnerships focused on developing domestic violence accommodation.

    • Use ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) metrics to prioritize projects addressing social challenges like domestic violence.

  2. Support Build-to-Rent Projects

    • Fund affordable rental housing initiatives that include designated units for survivors of domestic violence, offering them a safe transition to permanent housing.

  3. Incentivized Investments

    • Leverage tax benefits and government incentives for investments in crisis and affordable housing projects.

 

Communities

  1. Advocate for Awareness and Support

    • Host community events, fundraisers, and workshops to raise awareness about domestic violence and support local shelters.

    • Partner with local organizations to advocate for policy changes and increased funding.

  2. Volunteer and Donate

    • Provide time, resources, or skills to maintain and improve housing facilities.

    • Donate furniture, household items, and supplies to help survivors settle into new accommodations.

  3. Create a Supportive Ecosystem

    • Establish community programs that connect survivors to job opportunities, education, and childcare to help them rebuild their lives.

 

Developers

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Incorporate Domestic Violence Housing in Developments

  • Include designated units for survivors in new housing developments, integrating them into broader community settings for safety and inclusivity.

  • Partner with housing authorities to deliver mixed-use developments with crisis housing alongside market-rate housing.

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Innovative Housing Models

  • Explore modular and prefabricated designs for rapid deployment of emergency shelters.

  • Develop co-housing or transitional housing models that foster community support among survivors.​

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Collaborate with Service Providers

  • Work with domestic violence shelters and not-for-profits to ensure new developments meet survivors’ needs.

  • Include on-site or nearby access to counselling, legal aid, and employment support services.

 

Financiers

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  1. Create Affordable Financing Options

    • Provide low-interest loans or grants for organizations developing domestic violence shelters or transitional housing.

    • Offer financial support to nonprofits and developers focused on this cause.

  2. Social Bonds and Housing Funds

    • Issue social impact bonds or create dedicated funds for domestic violence accommodation projects, allowing investors to contribute to social change while earning returns.

  3. Government Partnerships

    • Collaborate with governments to co-fund crisis housing initiatives, leveraging public subsidies and tax incentives.

 

Benefits of Participation

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  1. Social Impact

    • Directly contribute to saving lives and providing a pathway to recovery for survivors of domestic violence.

    • Strengthen community resilience and cohesion by addressing one of society’s critical challenges.

  2. Economic Advantages

    • Access government incentives and grants for social housing projects.

    • Build a reputation for corporate social responsibility, attracting socially conscious consumers and partners.

  3. Collaborative Opportunities

    • Work with nonprofits, governments, and advocacy groups to create innovative housing solutions.

    • Establish partnerships that position participants as leaders in the social impact and affordable housing sectors.

 

By working together, builders, investors, communities, developers, and financiers can ensure survivors of domestic violence have access to safe, stable, and supportive housing environments, empowering them to rebuild their lives and thrive.

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How can Builders Developers and Investors make an Impact? 

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