Malcolm Turnbull promises to look in to domestic violence leave

The Queensland and South Australian governments both announced on Wednesday that public servants suffering domestic violence will have access to at least 10 days extra leave.

‘A Shorten Labor government will provide for five days paid domestic and family violence leave in the National Employment Standards, ‘ Mr Shorten said on White Ribbon Day.

Young men were taught to blame others for violence, while young women internalised the experience by blaming themselves.

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Kate Carnell says while domestic violence is a scourge, small and medium-sized businesses should not be compelled to foot the bill.

Australians tend to express high levels of victim-blaming attitude about cases of girls and young women who experience disrespectful and aggressive behaviour from men, a new study reveals.

“There is a strong desire to avoid blaming males, and a sense that participating in these behaviours is a rite of passage that should be understood rather than addressed”.

The report says that boys as young as ten can blame victims, quoting one male aged between ten and 14 saying “she said something that he didn’t like … the girls were being mean”.

The events are part of a 16-day call to action that culminates today and coincides with the global Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull insists domestic violence is very much on his government’s radar as it attempts to overturn “firmly entrenched” victim blaming.

Social Services Minister Christian Porter, a former crown prosecutor, said there was a clear under-appreciation in many parts of Australian society of what actually constituted unacceptable conduct towards women.

“The campaign aims to equip influencers to help break the cycle”, Minister for Women Michaelia Cash said.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said the universal right to domestic and family violence leave would benefit those who have experienced violence, as well as business through improved productivity, increased employee retention and reduced absenteeism.

In Australia, on average “more than one woman per week is killed by a current or former partner”, according to a statement from the White Ribbon Campaign.

Unions have already negotiated 860 agreements containing paid domestic violence leave with employers, covering nearly two million workers.

If elected, he would insert five days of paid domestic and family violence leave in the National Employment Standards, which set out the minimum entitlements for employees covered by the national workplace relations system.

“Consider the time required in courts, meeting with lawyers, financial advisers, the school principal, counselling sessions for people who have experienced violence which is required in that pursuit of safety and justice”.

A number of major companies – including Telstra and Ikea – already operate their own domestic violence leave programs. In an emergency call triple zero.