Senior Government officials and Parliament members of Viet Nam exchanged knowledge and experience with relevant stakeholders in Victoria - Australia on the revision and the implementation of Vietnam’s Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control.

In partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Viet Nam, Australia’s National Research Organization for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) hosted a study tour for leaders of the Ministries and National Assembly Committees to gather Australia’s experience and best practice in addressing domestic violence, as the National Assembly prepares to consider and approve the draft amendment on the Domestic Violence Prevention and Control Law during its October session.

From 25 to 29 July 2022, the delegation led by the Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ms. Trinh Thi Thuy, visited Melbourne, Victoria and met Australian senior experts who provided an overview of the domestic violence policy and its implementation in Australia. High on the agenda of the mission were on the effective legal system in addressing domestic violence, the development and the replication of the integrated response models for violence against women, the mechanism engaging CSOs in delivering services, the development of specialist courts for domestic violence, and the evidence-based policy development.

The Australian experts also shared the best practices in educational and awareness-raising campaigns targeting different population groups, including information-sharing for survivors of domestic violence, instigating change in men’s attitudes and beliefs, and the whole-of-community “call to action”.

The delegation was also introduced to The Orange Door, providing free services for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced violence, and other family members who need extra support in terms of care for children, and to the Centre for Multi-Cultural Women’s Health, which provides services for female migrants, experiencing violence.

The findings from the study tour will be shared to other Deputies to the National Assembly and Government officials during the coming consultative meetings and discussions prior to the year-end session of the National Assembly in October 2022, where the amended Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control is planned to be approved.