Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Tess Ikonomou

Domestic violence 'incompatible' with Defence values

A five-year Defence strategy for preventing and responding to family violence has been released. (Glenn Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

A new roadmap for the Australian Defence Force will seek to stamp out domestic violence within the military and encourage cultural change where survivors feel safe to come forward.

The five-year defence strategy for preventing and responding to family and domestic violence, which was released on Thursday, sets out the four principles underpinning Defence's crackdown on violence, and how it will support personnel and their families.

Under the strategy, ADF members alleged to have committed family violence could be referred to law enforcement, depending on the strength of evidence.

But each matter will be handled on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on making sure affected people feel supported to reach out and access services.

The strategy says Defence will respond with "compassion and sensitivity" to people who disclose historic family or domestic violence, and members and family who seek support will be treated with dignity as they recover.

It will ensure people are helped to make informed decisions free of coercion.

Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh said domestic violence was "incompatible" with the ADF's values of courage and integrity.

"Cultural change throughout a large organisation is more than creating new policies, procedures and bodies," he said.

"It means believing and supporting victim survivors, prioritising safety, being guided by victim-survivors' needs while also maintaining an approach that those who use violence are responsible for their behaviour.

"Cultural change requires a sustained commitment that is driven by our values."

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said all of society needed to come together to achieve the shared goal of ending family violence.

"Our Albanese Labor government takes addressing family, domestic and sexual violence seriously," she said.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Lifeline 13 11 14

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.