- $72.6 million Cook Government commitment to fund
new crisis beds, primary prevention, intervention, education and recovery
initiatives
- Announcement made as part of the 16 Days in WA
campaign
- Funding builds on the State Government's additional
investment of more than $300 million since 2017
The
Cook Government has today announced a massive $72.6 million investment to help stop
family and domestic violence in Western Australia.
Informed
by discussions of the Family and Domestic Violence Taskforce, the significant
funding boost will go towards programs that support victim-survivors, intervene
with perpetrators and work towards stopping violence before it starts.
A
total of $22.6 million is set aside to replace the Stirling Women's Refuge, a
crisis accommodation centre for those escaping violence at home. The investment
will see the aging facility upgraded and its capacity increased, expanding from
five rooms in a shared facility to 16 new independent units.
Today's
announcement also includes $5 million for a two-year public education campaign,
to promote understanding in the wider community and challenge outdated and
dangerous views.
The
funding will also see the expansion of the successful Respectful Relationships
teaching support program. A $1.5 million investment will fund further
enhancement and expansion of the program, including through the development of
online content, and culturally appropriate content for Aboriginal young
people.
Other
initiatives funded by the announcement include:
- $12 million in grants to support primary
prevention and Aboriginal family safety;
- $6.6 million in operating funding for the new
Ruah Centre for Women and Children which will offer crisis accommodation via 13
units in an inner city location;
- $6 million for perpetrator programs, including
expansion into new locations in regional WA; and
- $3.1 million to expand the Safe at Home program
which is helping women and children stay safely in their homes.
This
funding builds on the State Government's unprecedented investment in new family
and domestic violence initiatives, with more than $300 million committed since
2017.
A
suite of law reforms is also progressing, including measures to keep guns out
of the hands of offenders, and strengthened GPS tracking for perpetrators.
Today's
announcement coincides with the 16 Days in WA campaign, which encourages people
to play their part to end violence against women.
For
more information on 16 Days in WA, visit 16days.wa.gov.au.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"Today's
investment of more than $70 million is a testament to my Government's firm
resolve to end family and domestic violence in WA.
"The
impact of this horrific abuse affects the entire community. It is unacceptable
and it must stop.
"The
initiatives announced today will provide healing and recovery supports to
victim-survivors, intervention programs for perpetrators, and vital education
programs to help prevent family and domestic violence before it begins."
Comments attributed to Prevention of Family
and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton:
"The
Cook Government is listening and taking action to address the scourge of family
and domestic violence in WA.
"We
take this issue extremely seriously, and I'm proud that today's announcement is
informed by the work of the Family and Domestic Violence Taskforce, which is
central to making meaningful change in this space."
Helplines
People experiencing family and domestic violence can call the Women's
Domestic Violence Helpline 1800 007 339, or Men's Domestic Violence Helpline
1800 000 599, or the national Helpline 1800 RESPECT.
