International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Wednesday 26 November 2025

S.E. ANDREWS (Gibson) (10:52): I move:

That this house—

(a) notes 25 November 2025 is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and that globally, one in three women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life;

(b) notes internationally every 10 minutes a woman is murdered by their partner or family members and at least 78 women were killed in Australia in 2024;

(c) acknowledges the work of royal commissioner Natasha Stott Despoja who led South Australia’s Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence;

(d) notes the legislative reforms the Malinauskas Labor government has introduced to make South Australia safer for women; and

(e) thanks our domestic violence services and other support services for their work to assist survivors of domestic violence.

I move this motion to note the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, held on 25 November, and to recognise the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism, a global UN-led campaign running from 25 November to 10 December uniting countries worldwide to end violence against women and girls. This day, and these 16 days, are a solemn reminder of the human toll of gendered violence.

Globally, one in three women will experience physical or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence or both at least once in their life. Internationally, every 10 minutes a woman is murdered by her partner or family members. Here in Australia, at least 78 women were killed in 2024. Behind every statistic is a woman who should still be with us and families and communities forever marked by grief. In South Australia, our government is determined to play its part in preventing domestic, family and sexual violence, not only during these 16 days but every day.

This year's theme, Unite to End Digital Violence against Women and Girls, calls much-needed attention to the growing harms of image-based abuse, cyberstalking and AI-generated deepfakes. These are forms of violence that can terrorise victims, damage reputations and invade every corner of a person's life. They are not virtual problems; their impacts are real and they are happening here in our state.

Yesterday Parliament House and the Adelaide Town Hall were illuminated in orange, a bright, powerful symbol of our commitment to creating a future free from violence. Throughout this period the government is also proud to support the Elephant in the Room exhibition featuring Elly the Elephant. Developed by the Women's Safety Services South Australia and created by women with lived experience of violence, Elly represents what is too often hidden, minimised or silenced. I encourage all South Australians to visit, reflect and sign the pledge board in support of ending domestic, family and sexual violence.

This house also acknowledges and thanks royal commissioner Natasha Stott Despoja for her leadership of South Australia's Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence. We are facing a horrific epidemic of gendered violence. On average in Australia one woman is killed every four days. These numbers are unacceptable; the gender inequality and disrespect that fuel them are unacceptable. The establishment of the royal commission was a clear demonstration of this government's resolve to prevent violence before it starts, to provide the best possible support for women, to help them build new and safer futures, to better understand children's experiences of violence, and to address the drivers of inequality.

The commission's final report, handed down in August this year, makes it clear that this is a shared responsibility. The causes of domestic, family and sexual violence are multiple, complex and deeply embedded across society. No single action or agency can solve it alone. The report calls for a cohesive and effective system; increased awareness and visibility of domestic, family and sexual violence; safe help-seeking pathways and strong crisis responses; a strengthened focus on people who use violence; holistic long-term support for survivors; and a solid foundation for prevention that shifts harmful gender norms and structural conditions.

Our government has initially accepted seven recommendations that build the framework to drive long-term systemic change. This royal commission provides us with an opportunity to empower our whole community—government agencies, service providers, schools, workplaces and individuals—to act together. It is an opportunity we embrace wholeheartedly.

Shifting culture is essential if we are to succeed. A recent survey into community attitudes found that while 91 per cent of Australians agree that violence against women is a problem, only 47 per cent think it is a problem in their own suburb or region. In South Australia that number drops to just 38 per cent. This is alarming and it does tell us that too many still view this as someone else's problem affecting someone else's neighbourhood. We must change this.

Violence does not discriminate; it occurs across all ages, all communities and all socio-economic groups. Even if someone may not have personally witnessed domestic, family or sexual violence, they almost certainly know someone who has survived it and they may also know someone who has perpetrated it. Every conversation we have must deepen understanding. Every action we take must reflect our shared responsibility. Preventing domestic, family and sexual violence is not solely the job of government or frontline responders; it is everyone's responsibility.

Finally, I offer my deepest thanks to the domestic violence services and support organisations across South Australia and their union representatives at the Australian Services Union. Their tireless work, often undertaken in emotionally challenging circumstances, saves lives and supports survivors in their darkest moments. We recognise their dedication, compassion and professionalism.

The path toward a South Australia free from violence is complex, but with collective action, community understanding and unwavering resolve we can and we must create a safer future for women and girls. I commend the motion to the house.