Page 4128 - Week 12 - Thursday, 1 December 2022
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their lifetime. Women are nearly three times more likely than men to experience violence from an intimate partner. As I said, the data is sobering, and that is why we have a women’s plan in the ACT.
DR PATERSON: Minister, I note that you launched the consultation on the third action plan 2023-2025 earlier this year. What are the priority areas for the upcoming plan?
MS BERRY: I was excited to be able to meet with women stakeholders in the ACT to launch the consultation around the third action plan. The renewed focus in that plan is around health and wellbeing, safety and inclusion, leadership and workforce participation, housing and homelessness, and appropriate and accessible services.
Many women continue to be disproportionately affected by lengthy wait times for health services, which takes a toll on their physical and mental health. Housing insecurity and homelessness continue to be gendered issues in the ACT, which are further impacted by the gender pay gap as well as domestic and family violence,
Additionally, these barriers are compounded for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, who experience violence, poverty, disability and discrimination at higher rates than the general population.
MS ORR: Minister, how can members of the community participate in the consultation and development of the third action plan?
MS BERRY: I thank Ms Orr for her interest in this important conversation, and I really encourage members of the Assembly to encourage other women in the ACT to participate in the consultation on the development of the third action plan.
The consultation process recognises that gender equality is everybody’s business. When women, girls and gender diverse people can fully participate in all aspects of our society, our whole community is stronger for it.
The third action plan is reflective of the diversity of our city. It includes tangible steps to support those we are encouraging, and we are encouraging organisations and individuals to contribute.
It is important that we encourage people who would not normally get a chance to have their say on issues like this. They can do that via the online survey, which is available on YourSay. Members of the community can hold conversations with their networks and respond to the online survey for groups and by making a submission of their own. Consultation closes on 28 February 2023, which is ahead of the third action plan commencing in July 2023.
Justice—juvenile sex offender assessment protocol
MRS KIKKERT: My question is to Assistant Minister for Families and Community Services. Minister, according to ACT government documents, the Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol, or J-SOAP, “is generally used in preparing a pre-sentence report” but may also limit a young man’s access to restorative justice.
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