The nation's Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin released her third yearly update to parliament on Wednesday, which found progress being made by governments and communities was not yet at the scale or pace needed to save lives.
It comes amid reports of sexual violence being at their highest level since national recording began 33 years ago.
The commission identified it as one of two "persistent" areas, alongside family law and justice systems, where people are experiencing unacceptable levels of harm.
"The scale of sexual violence in Australia demands sustained national investment and action, commensurate with the scale of the problem," Ms Cronin said.
"Collectively, we must send a clear message that these behaviours are not acceptable, and that people who have experienced sexual violence will be heard, treated with dignity and respect, and supported through their justice and healing journey."
The report notes almost six in 10 sexual assaults recorded by police occurred outside family and intimate partner relationships.
This underlined a "distinct national problem, not simply an extension of domestic and family violence".
Meanwhile, the family law system was also a "site of ongoing weaponisation and harm".
The commission pointed to "intense public and political conversation around institutional responses to sexual violence" and "misogynistic content influencing young people" as bolstering its call for sustained, rather than episodic, national attention to both sexual violence and the family law system.
It acknowledged the commitment made by political leaders at national cabinet to address sexual violence as a priority.
Eight recommendations were handed down to help inform the national plan to end violence against women and children by 2032.
Addressing the parliament on Wednesday, Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek will point to the actions already taken by the federal government such as reforming family courts and social security so women and children can rely on the systems.
"We have changed this country before. Now is the time to move together to change it again," she will say.
"We owe the women and children who have had their lives stolen by this violence more than our horror. We owe them action."
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Lifeline 13 11 14
Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
9°C