NSW pledges to appoint a Minister for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Bravo.

by Mamamia Team March 6, 2015

Ahead of International Women’s Day, the New South Wales government has taken a solid stance against domestic violence and sexual assault.

NSW Premier Mike Baird has announced a package of reforms targeting domestic violence.

The minister for women would take on a dual role as the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault if the Liberal party is re-elected on March 28.

Minister for Women, Pru Goward, will assume the role of Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.

Under a re-elected Coalition state government, current Minister for Women Pru Goward would assume the role — becoming the state’s first Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Fairfax Media reports.

“There is a plague in our state that we need to eradicate and that is domestic violence and sexual assault,” Mr Baird told the Sydney International Women’s Day Breakfast this morning.

“Every single week we lose someone amongst us to domestic violence. And incredibly this year it has actually spiked, so that is a clear reminder we have to do more.”

Channel Nine reports this will also be the first appointment of its kind in Australia.

NSW Premier Mike Baird says this is the first ministerial position addressing the issue in Australia. @TheTodayShow

— Chris Urquhart (@chrisurquhart) March 5, 2015

The caretaker Premier also announced domestic violence offenders will be placed on a state register, which will be made available to partners of men with violent criminal histories via a hotline.

“There is a plague in our state that we need to eradicate and that is domestic violence and sexual assault.”

The scheme would allow people to ask authorities for information if they are concerned their partner may represent a risk.

It would originally run as a pilot.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the initative is based on “Clare’s Law” in the UK, which was introduced after Clare Wood was killed by a violent ex-boyfriend.

The move comes after 23 women were killed by violent partners in NSW last year. So far this year, there have been two women killed by their partner ever week.

The following women have lost their lives during instances of family violence, or alleged family violence in Australia:

Domestic violence victims gallery

Kris Deann Sharpley. Her father killed himself and his grandson in a murder-suicide.

Tara Costigan. Her ex-partner has been charged with murder.

Kelly Thompson was stabbed to death in 2014 by ex partner Wayne Woods. Kelly had taken out an intervention order against Woods the week before.

Fiona Warzywoda was allegedly stabbed by partner outside a shopping centre in 2014. Craig McDermott has been charged with her murder.

Vesna Crnobrnja was allegedly killed in her front yard by husband Zoran in 2014. He was charged with her murder.

Ainsur Isamgul. Her husband has been charged with murder.

Adele Collins. Her ex-partner has been charged with murder.

Fabiana Palhares. Her ex-partner has been charged with her murder.

Rinabel Tiglao. Her partner has been charged with murder.

Ruth Dodd. Her daughter has been charged with murder.

Kerry Michael. Her husband has been charged with murder.

Victoria Comrie Cullen, 39, was a mother of three whose body was found in a Sutherland Shire car park. Pictured with a former work colleague.

Christie Camilleri, 32, was stabbed to death in a Guildford granny flat on 5th December, 2013.

Marika Ninness, 35, died two weeks after being attacked in December, 2013.

Keeli Dutton, 41, was stabbed to death in her apartment in Miller, NSW, by a 49-year-old man believed to be in a de facto relationship with her on the 26th November 2013.

Margaret Tannous, 47, was brutally attacked by her husband, George Tannous, in their Bankstown apartment.

vana Ukropina, 29, was found on the footpath outside her Kingsford home, an alleged victim of family violence.

Elsa Corp, 26, was found in a hotel room after being killed by David Clifford in 2010.

Andrea Pickett, a mother of 13 was killed by her estranged husband in 2009.

Lisa Harnum died after falling from the 15th floor of an apartment in Sydney last year.