The Government must support frontline services to meet growing demand for domestic and family violence.
The women’s safety sector has said for a decade that they need $1 billion each year to be able to help everyone who reaches out for help, rather than having to turn people away back to violence.
The release of the First Action Plan and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 was a positive step forward, but the Government has allocated just $2.23 billion over five years, less than half the $5 billion the sector needs to ensure no one is turned away.
The housing crisis and cost-of-living crisis are felt even more acutely by women and children experiencing family and domestic violence, with many women forced to choose between abuse or homelessness, because there is nowhere to go.
Women on low wages or income support are especially vulnerable without the resources to escape violent situations. Yet this government persists with the cruelty of keeping income support payments like JobSeeker below the poverty line.
Governments must listen when our front line services say more funding will make a difference. No one should be turned away if they reach out for support and protection from domestic or family violence.
Add your name to call on the government to fund these critical frontline services.
- If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 131 444.
- If you need help and advice, call
- 1800Respect: 1800 737 732
- Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491
- Lifeline: 13 11 14