Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Leyonhjelm for alerting my office to the fact that this issue would be raised today. The Commonwealth recognises that all victims of violence, regardless of their sex or gender, need compassionate and highly responsive support. Similarly, all perpetrators, regardless of their sex or gender, must be held accountable for their violence as individuals. I am sure that is a point that Senator Leyonhjelm would agree with me and the Commonwealth upon.

I am advised that from the Personal Safety, Australia, 2012 survey we do know that one in six women and one in 19 men has experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or former intimate partner. The ABS's Recorded Crime—Offenders 2014-15 data for all included states and territories where men are between four and eight times more likely to be offenders of family and domestic violence related offences than women. While current evidence shows that the majority of victims are indeed women, these statistics do not always reflect personal experiences of violence. I am sure everyone hopes that when a complaint is made, regardless of someone's sex or gender, that the appropriate services—whether they be police forces or other government or public services—respond accordingly.