Monique Ryan (Kooyong, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Today I rise to support an increase in the domestic and family violence leave entitlement for victims-survivors of family and domestic violence, from five to 10 days each year. It is irrefutable that the rate of family and domestic violence is growing in our country, and there is an urgent need for our communities to help when we can. Prior to coming to this place, I met twice with the women's roundtable from Kooyong. They pressed upon me the importance of this leave entitlement. They spoke of research which supported its implementation and acknowledged the unfortunate prevalence of domestic violence in and around Kooyong.

In most cases, the victims of family violence are women and children. The data tells us that, from the age of 15, one in four women and one in 13 men have experienced intimate partner violence. Women in rural areas are 24 times more likely to be hospitalised than women in the cities. We must implement whatever measures we can to support people who are experiencing family violence.

Academic research shows that, on average, it takes seven or eight attempts to leave a violent relationship. It also comes at a significant financial cost. On average, it takes more than 140 hours. This process of extrication, which is statistically the most dangerous period for women and their children who are fleeing violence, cannot simply occur outside work hours. About 68 per cent of people who are experiencing family violence are in paid work. Many are unable to escape violence without the risk of losing their job and experiencing financial stress. This can often result in homelessness and long-term poverty. Unpaid leave may not help. Some women are in a financial position to take unpaid leave; most are not. Furthermore, experts warn that any unexpected pause in income from unpaid leave can be a flag to an abuser. This is another reason why it's crucial that a person's paid work is maintained throughout the period of leaving a violent partner, and later, too, as they start to recover or begin the process of court hearings or counselling. During this difficult and often dangerous time, support from the workplace is critical. No worker should ever have to choose between their safety and their income.

I also support the minimisation of barriers to obtaining this leave. It's still a highly stigmatised subject for many, although it is to be hoped that measures such as this one will help in the process of destigmatisation. Importantly, I hope that employers will start from a place of reasonable belief and a recognition of the bravery of those who come forward. We do not want people failing to ask for help because of the difficulties in providing proof of their abuse.

This bill is one of those special reforms that, while members and senators in this place will pass it through the parliament, belongs to the advocates who fought for it. People fleeing domestic violence and abuse will be afforded 10 days of paid leave because of the persistence, the dedication and the courage of survivors of violence who have worked very hard so that no-one else will have to go through what they went through.

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