$100 million for family violence? Great, but...
The Turnbull government's announcement of $100 million federal funding to tackle gendered and family violence is welcomed, and should be congratulated. Among the new funding is more for 1800 RESPECT, more for preventative education. It's great to see the government respond to community pressure and start to act.
But on its own, this won't be enough. Experts tell us that the best and most urgent way to address the gendered violence crisis is fully funded frontline services that provide women with an escape from abuse, and that prevent violence before it occurs.
Among the big ticket items in the announcement is more funding for surveillance cameras and tracking alarms. These have been shown to help - but they can only be helpful if women have in the first instance received the help they need.
Thousands of women are still being turned away from frontline services, simply because these services don't receive enough funding to keep up with demand. Right now, community legal centres are forced to turn away 150,000 people a year - many of whom are fleeing abuse. Today's funding announcement might improve this marginally. But on its own, it won't be enough.
Will you email the Minister for Women Senator Michaelia Cash to tell her that GetUp members welcome the announcement of extra funding for family violence, but call for more funds to be spent on the frontline services that need it most?
But on its own, this won't be enough. Experts tell us that the best and most urgent way to address the gendered violence crisis is fully funded frontline services that provide women with an escape from abuse, and that prevent violence before it occurs.
Among the big ticket items in the announcement is more funding for surveillance cameras and tracking alarms. These have been shown to help - but they can only be helpful if women have in the first instance received the help they need.
Thousands of women are still being turned away from frontline services, simply because these services don't receive enough funding to keep up with demand. Right now, community legal centres are forced to turn away 150,000 people a year - many of whom are fleeing abuse. Today's funding announcement might improve this marginally. But on its own, it won't be enough.
Will you email the Minister for Women Senator Michaelia Cash to tell her that GetUp members welcome the announcement of extra funding for family violence, but call for more funds to be spent on the frontline services that need it most?
For detailed information on what's needed to tackle family violence through fully funded services beyond those which appear in this video, check out our campaign partner Fair Agenda's excellent online resource 'What It Will Take'.
Over the past few years, significant cuts have been made to Legal Aid Commissions, Community Legal Centres, Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention Legal Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services. These services assist survivors of abuse through complex legal and judicial processes, such as getting an AVO or an injunction, issues of child custody and financial issues.
Further cuts to these services were recently reversed, which was welcomely received, however the current state of funding means that the sector already has a limited ability to provide assistance to people seeking their help. For example, in 2013/14, 84 Community Legal Centres across Australia that provide frontline legal assistance revealed that they had to turn away more than 150,000 people.
As part of the Specialist Homelessness Service, women's refuges provide crisis accommodation and support for women and children, who are forced to leave their family home to remain safe.
Most refuges receive funding from the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness and the National Affordable Housing Agreement – which is funded jointly by the federal government and the state and territory governments.
In 2013-14, every night 423 people were turned away from homelessness agencies – many of these people are experiencing domestic violence, forcing them to return to an environment which is violent, unsafe, or onto the streets.
Women's Health Services are vital for the prevention of violence – as they are an accessible way for women to come forward and disclose to their GP, and for supporting women who are living in violent or controlling relationships – by providing referrals to crisis support, accommodation, and counselling.
The 2014-2015 Federal budget saw changes to preventative health funding arrangements have resulted in cuts to primary prevention health programs around the country. Funding streams are currently under review by the Department of Health.
Legal Support
Over the past few years, significant cuts have been made to Legal Aid Commissions, Community Legal Centres, Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention Legal Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services. These services assist survivors of abuse through complex legal and judicial processes, such as getting an AVO or an injunction, issues of child custody and financial issues.
Further cuts to these services were recently reversed, which was welcomely received, however the current state of funding means that the sector already has a limited ability to provide assistance to people seeking their help. For example, in 2013/14, 84 Community Legal Centres across Australia that provide frontline legal assistance revealed that they had to turn away more than 150,000 people.
Women's Refuges
As part of the Specialist Homelessness Service, women's refuges provide crisis accommodation and support for women and children, who are forced to leave their family home to remain safe.
Most refuges receive funding from the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness and the National Affordable Housing Agreement – which is funded jointly by the federal government and the state and territory governments.
In 2013-14, every night 423 people were turned away from homelessness agencies – many of these people are experiencing domestic violence, forcing them to return to an environment which is violent, unsafe, or onto the streets.
Women's Health Services
Women's Health Services are vital for the prevention of violence – as they are an accessible way for women to come forward and disclose to their GP, and for supporting women who are living in violent or controlling relationships – by providing referrals to crisis support, accommodation, and counselling.
The 2014-2015 Federal budget saw changes to preventative health funding arrangements have resulted in cuts to primary prevention health programs around the country. Funding streams are currently under review by the Department of Health.
Email the Minister for Women now
It's great to see the government recognising the community's calls for more action on domestic violence. But frontline services are still desperately underfunded, and they're critical to ensuring the safety of people fleeing violence.Will you call on the Minister for Women to ensure the government's efforts have the strongest possible impact, by tackling this crisis in the way the experts know is best – fully funding frontline services.