The vital support services that family violence victims rely on are under unprecedented pressure. They need urgent funding to assist women and children in crisis. An Andrews Labor Government will provide an immediate boost for family violence support services, to relieve this short-term pressure while Labor’s Royal Commission into Family Violence finds a long-term solution. Labor will also give the justice system the capacity to deal with more family violence cases, and support women in the workplace who are experiencing violence at home. Labor’s urgent funding will invest: - $2.5 million to services that provide practical support for women and children, such as crisis accommodation and transport. These services are currently experiencing extraordinary demand and delays. - $2.5 million for children’s counsellors and other special care for young people who witness violence in the home. At the moment, child-specific services are limited and many kids miss out. - $1.4 million to support the work of Domestic Violence Victoria and help them employ additional staff. - $100,000 for victims of family violence to access pet foster care or rehoming programs at animal shelters, because pets are often victims of violence and fears for their welfare can prolong abusive relationships. - $12 million to expand Family Violence Court Divisions in Magistrates’ Courts. - $2.5 million to trial information sharing across civil and criminal courts, so authorities can track high-risk offenders and make sure they don’t slip through the system. - $500,000 to reduce waiting lists for court ordered men’s behavioural change programs. - $1.2 million so more family violence duty lawyers from Community Legal Centres can help more victims at Magistrates’ Courts. Under Labor, magistrates will also have to demonstrate that victims of family violence have provided a victim impact statement. In a recent case, a victim was denied her opportunity to be heard because a magistrate believed she had no statement to record. Labor will work with unions to introduce family violence workplace leave entitlements in public sector EBAs and introduce flexible work arrangements and workplace safety plans. Labor will also work with Victorian businesses to raise awareness, adopt new guidelines and offer support to employees. Family violence is the number one law and order issue in Victoria, and more of the same policies will only mean more of the same tragedy. That’s why we’ll hold a Royal Commission to find the answers we need. In the meantime, vital support services are straining under the weight of soaring demand. Labor will provide an immediate funding boost to reduce the short-term pressure while we find the long-term solution.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 21:00:00 +0000
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