Domestic violence wins don’t come easy, and finally there’s something to celebrate

When it comes to tackling the scourge of domestic violence in Australia, progress can be hard to come by. It’s easy to focus on the bad news, because let’s face it – there’s a lot of it.

But last Thursday – finally, a development worth celebrating. From early next year, 11 million Australian workers will be entitled to 10 days’ paid domestic violence leave.

The scheme will come into effect from 1 February 2023, with small businesses given an additional six months to adapt to the changes. 

It comes mere weeks after the release of a sobering report by Dr Anne Summers AO, which found that hundreds of thousands of Australian women were being forced to choose between violence and poverty.

Moo Baulch OAM is a gender equality and social justice leader who has been working in this space for decades. Joining Future Women’s Senior Content Producer Sally Spicer on FW Live to discuss the legislation, the Our Watch chair admitted that the whole sector got ‘fairly excited’ upon hearing the news.

‘It’s a really big deal,’ she shared.

‘Both because it’s symbolic, so it sends out a really clear message to people across the community that they will be seen, heard or believed, and that they will be supported as well. But also, it’s a really practical solution for people.’ 

On average, leaving a violent relationship costs victim-survivors $18,000, and can lead to long-term poverty, Baulch explains.

‘And that’s often because [victim-survivors are] unable to work or they’re taking full responsibility for caring for kids,’ she said. ‘So the impact financially can go on for a very long time, even a lifetime for some people.’ 

Trade unions have been formally calling for a paid domestic violence leave scheme as far back as 2010, while many businesses already offer some form of paid support. Baulch especially welcomes news that casuals will be covered under the agreement, despite previous indications they could be excluded. 

‘My hope, my personal hope, is that we really see a massive shift in community attitudes.’

‘It’s essential that casual workers are covered by it,’ she said. ‘We know, particularly women who are the primary victims of domestic and family abuse, that they are often in casual positions [and] that those impacts will be much longer and much more intense for people who are in the casual workforce.’ 

But while ten days’ paid domestic violence leave represents a watershed moment, Baulch is careful to emphasise the amount of work still left to do in the domestic violence prevention space. Issues like what proof is needed to take the leave and ensuring victim-survivors feel safe enough to access it, are yet to be resolved. 

‘My hope, my personal hope, is that we really see a massive shift in community attitudes. If we can keep a real focus on this over the next 10 years, and continue to move along this trajectory, then we’re going to start seeing some different and much more positive results for victim-survivors.’

If you need help, please call 1800 RESPECT or Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, always call 000. To find out more, listen to Future Women’s podcast drawing back the curtain on domestic abuse and violence, There’s No Place Like Home here.