How well does Australia's social security system support victims of family and domestic violence?

Abstract

The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children: 2010-2022 aims to achieve a significant and sustained<br/ >reduction in family and domestic violence. Access to social security income is a critical component of that plan, and the broader strategy to support women to leave and not return to violent relationships. Moreover, social security accessed at times of greatest vulnerability can be critical to victims of violence re-establishing themselves so they may rebuild their lives and move on.<br/ ><br/ >In 2018, the National Social Security Rights Network (NSSRN) undertook a research project to consider the relationship between the Australian social security system and family and domestic violence and to identify areas where support for victims of family and domestic violence could be improved.