In response to escalating domestic violence, Australian state Victoria has appointed state MP Tim Richardson as the inaugural Parliamentary Secretary for Men’s Behavior Change, the first role of its kind in Australia. Premier Jacinta Allan announced the appointment on Wednesday as part of efforts to address what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has termed a “national crisis.”
Focus on internet and social media influence
Richardson’s mandate includes addressing the impact of the internet and social media on male attitudes towards women and fostering respectful relationships. Acknowledging the challenge, he emphasized the importance of the role. “We must make Victoria a safer place for women and children and work to end the tragedy of deaths of Victorian women at the hands of men,” Richardson stated on X.
Alarming statistics and recent incidents
The Counting Dead Women project reports that 31 women have been killed in Australia this year, following 64 murders last year. Recent incidents, including the shooting of a woman and her daughter in Perth and multiple violent attacks in Sydney, have intensified calls for action.
Tarang Chawla, founder of the non-profit Not One More Niki, expressed hope that the new position would shift the responsibility of addressing male violence from women to men. He stressed the need for the Parliamentary Secretary to engage with grassroots organizations to understand and change male behaviors.
However, some, like opposition Liberal Party Senator Jane Hume, questioned the effectiveness of the appointment, suggesting it might be “window dressing” rather than genuine cultural change.
Richardson reiterated the importance of modeling positive role models for boys and men and breaking away from gender-based stereotypes. Prime Minister Albanese, recognizing the societal scope of the issue, announced a rapid review into domestic violence prevention, emphasizing that the responsibility should not fall solely on women.
The new role marks a significant step in Victoria’s and Australia’s broader efforts to combat gender-based violence and foster a safer society.