16 December 2025

• Domestic violence royal commission prompts $674 million response, reports ABC

• Aunt of woman killed in domestic violence calls for action at '16 Days in WA' event, reports National Indigenous Times.

• Statistically, it's impossible to predict domestic violence homicide. That doesn't mean we should give up, reports ABC.

• Bruce Lehrmann knew Brittany Higgins didn’t consent, federal court rules as it dismisses defamation appeal, reports The Guardian. 

• Victorian government makes historic apology to Aboriginal people following signing of treaty, reports ABC.

• Cost of delivering regional domestic violence services 9 times more than major cities, reports Women's Agenda.

• WA government commits $109.9 million for preventing family and domestic violence, reports ABC.

• Domestic violence abusers have 'weaponised' smart cars to terrorise their victims, reports ABC.

• Abuse survivors say Centrelink's 'couple rule' puts women in danger, reports ABC.

• ABC interviews Australia's eSafety Commissioner on the social media ban commencing.

State Based

• Victorian Government releases the 'Better practice guide for inclusive engagement' to help workers engage with community in a more inclusive way. You can use it before, during and after your engagement.

• Western Australia’s first Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Strategy, to keep individuals safe at home, at work, and in the community. 

• NSW Strategy to respond to the use of Domestic and Family Violence.

• Applications for the disability self help grants are now open in Victoria. Applications will close 4.00 pm on Tuesday, 27 January 2026.
• Victorian Redress for Historical Institutional Abuse is for people who experienced physical, emotional or psychological abuse and neglect as children in institutional settings in Victoria before 1990. 

National

• DCJ releases New resources to address abuse of older women and women with disability.

International

• How shadowy Russian and US groups are pouring billions into the systematic destruction of women’s rights globally, reports Daily Maverick

Research

• A new report by UN Women titled 'Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot 2025'. 
• The Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights has released a new research paper: Why ‘Yes’ Matters: Understanding Muslim communities’ knowledge and needs surrounding affirmative consent.
• New report title Mapping the digital gap: 2025 outcomes report' released on communications and media use in remote First Nations communities across Australia.
• Special Issue of Journal of Gender-Based Violence on vicarious trauma prevention for gender-based violence researchers.

• New SASVic issues paper calls for better online regulation.

   

Events

• Ending Men’s Family Violence: From Local Practice to National Strategy – 2026 National Conference event will be held from  11-12 March 2026  in Hobart.
• PreventX2026:STORIES FOR CHANGE conference will be held in Melbourne from 24 - 25 March 2026.
• National Recovery and Healing Conference:Striving Together" will take place in Brisbane from 30 April-1 May 2026.

Consultation & Research

• National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse want to find out what information and programs exist in towns and communities across Australia to help keep children safe. Click here to learn more.
• ACCOS launch annual Heat in Homes Survey to support calls for governments to act faster on energy upgrades for low-income and rental housing. Please help us spread the word by sharing the survey with your networks, especially communities most impacted – including renters, people on low incomes, First Nations people, people with disability, and anyone living in homes that don't protect them from the heat. Many people are now dealing with hot homes, high energy bills and health risks, and every response strengthens our case for change.

Training 

• Applications are now open to study RMIT’s Graduate Certificate in Domestic & Family Violence in 2026.  This degree is taught by a teaching team of specialists and practitioners and will provide you with the mandatory qualifications to work in the specialist family violence sector. Come and get up-skilled in responding to, and preventing, family violence! Apply here.

Jobs

• Domestic Violence NSW is hiring an Interim Deputy CEO. No Deadline - please apply as soon as possible. 
   

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