Australia's first attempt at a national, evidence-based domestic violence framework was launched at Parliament House on Tuesday.
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We must begin with gender equality and respect.
- Natasha Stott Despoja
Natasha Stott Despoja, chair of anti-domestic violence group Our Watch, said the framework was also a world first, and that other countries would be watching the Australian approach.
While the causes of domestic violence were complex, the evidence clearly showed it is "more likely to occur when gender inequality is ingrained in social, cultural and organisational structures and practices", Ms Stott Despoja said.
"We now know what it will take to end violence against women and children in Australia. [The framework] shows us how.
"We must begin with gender equality and respect."
She said change was needed at all levels of society - legislation, government, policy, community and individual - and the framework would help guide the approach at each of those levels.
The framework - called Changing the Story - was developed by Our Watch, together with VicHealth and Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety.
More than 400 stakeholders contributed to the framework.
The framework also presented the latest statistics on violence in Australia; At least one woman a week is killed by a partner or former partner, one in five Australian women had experienced sexual violence and one in three had experienced physical violence.
Ms Stott Despoja said that the ACT, Western Australia and New South Wales had not yet joined the other states and territory in partnering with Our Watch, but she issued a plea for them to do so.
The group has set the goals of seeing a reduction in violence and an improvement in attitudes by 2022.
ANROWS CEO Heather Nancarrow said the personal safety survey would be repeated every four years, in which they would look for a "significant and sustained" reduction in violence by 2022.
They were also hoping to see change in the national community attitudes survey, which reveals the drivers behind violence against women and children.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au.
In the case of an emergency, call 000.
