Corporations as agents in the national plan to end domestic violence: Examining possibilities and limitations

Domestic violence is a pervasive problem in Australia and COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem. In 2022, the Commonwealth and state and territory governments committed to the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children within one generation. In 2023, the Australian Government initiated an additional plan, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan, as the first dedicated plan to address violence against women and children in First Nations communities. Modern corporations, as employers and influential agents in society, can contribute to this worthwhile cause with a particular emphasis on providing domestic violence leave, creating safe workplaces (in line with the director’s duties and work health and safety obligations); imposing safeguards against an increase of violence perpetuated by technology; and preventing financial abuse, including the economic abuse of directors of family-owned companies. Corporations, however, face limitations such as challenges in identifying abuse, resource constraints, difficulties in managing working-from-home environments and addressing emerging forms of technology-related abuse. This article explores the possibilities and limitations of modern corporations contributing to a national plan to end domestic violence, drawing on relevant literature and legal frameworks.