VOA News | Wednesday, May 1, 2024 
Australian leaders convene to combat gender violence

SYDNEY — he leaders of Australia’s state, territory and federal governments met Wednesday to combat gender-based abuse. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described violence against women in Australia as an “epidemic,” and campaigners say gender-based violence in Australia must be declared a national emergency. The Canberra government has said statistically, a woman has been killed in Australia every four days this year. Officials at the Wednesday’s meeting in Canberra said they want to find immediate, effective and practical ways to address family violence and the abuse of women. Various measures have been agreed, including a five-year $650 million plan to help vulnerable women who have been unable to leave a violent relationship because of a lack of money. The federal government says it will look at ways to reduce people’s exposure to “violent pornography” and measures to combat male extremist views as well as violent and misogynistic content. Authorities are proposing serious penalties for sharing sexually explicit material using technology like artificial intelligence. Legislation will also be introduced in early August to outlaw the release of private information online with an intent to cause harm – an abusive practice also known as doxxing. Albanese told reporters in Canberra Wednesday that all jurisdictions were working together...Read more