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ABC News
ABC News
National
By political reporters Amy Greenbank and Jane Norman

Scott Morrison pledges $328 million for the Coalition's effort to stop domestic violence

The major funding boost will also renew a bipartisan national plan to reduce violence against women.

The Morrison Government has pledged an extra $328 million to combat domestic violence, with much of that funding going towards safe houses and frontline services.

The three-year funding commitment represents the fourth and final stage of the National Action Plan that was developed, in consultation with the states, in 2010.

Announcing the "record Commonwealth investment", Prime Minister Scott Morrison will also unveil a new prevention strategy to target the negative attitudes that lead to violence.

"A culture of disrespect towards women is a precursor to violence, and anyone who doesn't see that is kidding themselves," Mr Morrison said.

"This is about changing attitudes to violence, and helping those who think violence is an option, to stop."

Of the new funding, $82 million will go towards for frontline services, including training for health workers to better identify domestic violence victims and $62 million will be spent on the 1800RESPECT counselling hotline to meet increased demand.

Another $78 million — already announced — will be for safe places and emergency accommodation which is expected to help an extra 6,500 woman and children a year.

According to Our Watch, one woman is murdered by a current or former partner each week.

Minister for Women Kelly O'Dwyer said the statistics were shocking.

"One in six women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or former partner since the age of 15," she said.

"This figure increases to nearly one in four women when violence by boyfriends, girlfriends and dates is included."

The funding commitment brings the total Commonwealth contribution towards fighting domestic violence to $840 million since 2013.

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