Recommendation 4: The Australian Government incorporate and anti-violence initiatives that address homophobia and transphobia and their intersection with domestic and family violence into school-based respectful relationship programs. 5 Children affected by family and domestic violence In 2015 the National Children’s Commissioner conducted a national investigation into the impact of family and domestic violence on children. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child requires Australia to use a child rights-based approach to address family and domestic violence so that: vulnerable and marginalised groups of children are protected the best interests of children are prioritised the of children are respected prevention measures consider the impact of family and domestic violence in terms of children’s development. The Commissioner’s investigation involved a series of expert roundtables, individual consultations and a submissions process. The findings and recommendations are contained in the Children’s Rights Report 2015 (Chapter Four), which was tabled in Parliament in November 2015. The Commission refers the Committee to the Commissioner’s report on this investigation and the recommendations contained therein (see Appendix A). Recommendation 5: The Australian Government consider the recommendations in the Children’s Rights Report 2015 (Chapter 4). 6 Domestic violence as a workplace Domestic and family violence is a workplace issue and impacts upon workplaces in several ways: it is a leading contributor to poor health and costs both employers and the Australian economy more broadly. The cost of intimate partner violence to the Australian economy in the 2008-09 financial year was estimated to be $13.6 billion. If no preventative action is taken, this cost is projected to rise to $15.6 billion annually by 2021-22. Domestic and family violence can have impacts in the workplace through decreased staff performance and productivity; negative effects on employee health, wellbeing and morale.. There have been positive initiatives under the National Action Plan to address domestic and family violence as a workplace issue including funding and supporting the following programs:
Recommendation 4: The Australian Government incorporate and anti-violence initiatives that address homophobia and transphobia and their intersection with domestic and family violence into school-based respectful relationship programs. 5 Children affected by family and domestic violence In 2015 the National Children’s Commissioner conducted a national investigation into the impact of family and domestic violence on children. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child requires Australia to use a child rights-based approach to address family and domestic violence so that: vulnerable and marginalised groups of children are protected the best interests of children are prioritised the of children are respected prevention measures consider the impact of family and domestic violence in terms of children’s development. The Commissioner’s investigation involved a series of expert roundtables, individual consultations and a submissions process. The findings and recommendations are contained in the Children’s Rights Report 2015 (Chapter Four), which was tabled in Parliament in November 2015. The Commission refers the Committee to the Commissioner’s report on this investigation and the recommendations contained therein (see Appendix A). Recommendation 5: The Australian Government consider the recommendations in the Children’s Rights Report 2015 (Chapter 4). 6 Domestic violence as a workplace Domestic and family violence is a workplace issue and impacts upon workplaces in several ways: it is a leading contributor to poor health and costs both employers and the Australian economy more broadly. The cost of intimate partner violence to the Australian economy in the 2008-09 financial year was estimated to be $13.6 billion. If no preventative action is taken, this cost is projected to rise to $15.6 billion annually by 2021-22. Domestic and family violence can have impacts in the workplace through decreased staff performance and productivity; negative effects on employee health, wellbeing and morale.. There have been positive initiatives under the National Action Plan to address domestic and family violence as a workplace issue including funding and supporting the following programs:
AHRC_Submission_domestic_violence_gender_equality_20160304.docx