In Australia, which has recently experienced a series of violence targeting women, the establishment of a new public office to deal with the issue of violence against women is attracting attention.
The New York Times reported on the 30th (local time) that Prime Minister Jacinta Allen of the Australian state of Victoria appointed state legislator Tim Richardson to the newly created office of 'Parliamentary Secretary for Men's Behavior Change' to work to eliminate dating violence and domestic violence. ) reported. Premier Allen said the Parliamentary Secretary to Change Men's Behavior would work "primarily to focus on the impact of the internet and social media on how men treat women and build respectful relationships" in Australia. “This is my first time in this type of public office,” he said.
Representative Richerson, who was appointed as parliamentary secretary for men's behavior change, said on social media, "I will work to make Victoria a safer place for women and children and to end the tragedy of Victorian women dying at the hands of men." “It is time to take action against the violence committed by men against women, and it starts with us men,” he said. “It is not an easy task,” he said, adding, “But it is an important task and we cannot afford to neglect it and waste time.”
In Australia, 31 people have died from violence targeting women this year. According to Australian government statistics, one in four women have been exposed to violence by a family member or intimate partner.
In particular, recent incidents of violence targeting women have become a source of social controversy. Last April, a man viciously brandished a knife at a suburban Sydney shopping center, killing six people, five of whom were women. The police said, “Looking at the footage from the scene, it is clear that it was a ‘no questions asked murder’ targeting women.” Last week, a woman and her daughter were killed in Perth when a man opened fire after breaking up with her girlfriend.
According to data released by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) in April, the number of women experiencing intimate partner violence increased by 28% between 2023 and 2024 compared to the previous year.
The creation of a new parliamentary secretary position to change men's behavior in Victoria is being welcomed by civic groups that have dealt with issues such as domestic violence. The head of Respect Victoria (RV), a domestic violence prevention organization, told local media, “It is very important for men to join in the fight against violence targeting women.”
However, some are opposing it, calling it “collective punishment” and “an idea that treats all men as enemies.” Also, questions are raised about how effective it will be. Jane Hume, a Labor Party member, sneered, saying, “It seems like a display case that misses the really important issues related to culture.”
In response to this, Richerson, who was recently appointed as parliamentary secretary for men's behavior change, said, "If there is a common goal of changing men's behavior towards women, it is important that the conversation has started now." “I want to,” he said.