Domestic violence support services are at breaking point, putting hundreds of victims at risk because of funding shortfalls.
The number of women seeking support from Women’s Health West jumped 54 per cent to 6209 in the last financial year, while funding increased by a mere two per cent, chief executive Robyn Gregory said.
“Without additional funding, we can’t do more and more,” Dr Gregory said.
“If we’re having fewer clients at the end of the year, it’s because we can’t accept all the referrals, which is very disappointing, but it’s the reality.”
Premier Daniel Andrews last week released some of the terms of reference for his promised Royal Commission into family violence, which will focus on improving the current approach to domestic violence services.
Dr Gregory said she was hopeful the commission’s findings would lead to a flow-on of extra funding to cope with increasing demand.
“We definitely welcome the Royal Commission, particularly one that has good, broad terms of reference,” Dr Gregory said.
“We’re also welcoming it because the government is saying, ‘What we find, we will fund’ … and we definitely need the funds.”
About 115 women asked for help from Women’s Health West over the new year weekend alone (January 2-3).
Sergeant Ken Anderson, of the Melton police family violence unit, said domestic violence was a “huge” workload for police.
Royal Commission
The Royal Commission convenes next month and is expected to sit for 12 months. The terms of reference require the commission to identify the most effective ways to:
• Prevent family violence
• Improve early intervention to identify and protect those at risk
• Support victims
• Make perpetrators accountable, and
• Improve the ways government and society work together.
Although the commission will focus on strategies, policies and programs, Premier Dan Andrews said survivors of family violence would be able to give evidence, although the commission was still working out these details.
“We need a system that protects the vulnerable, punishes the guilty and saves lives,” the Premier said.
