Budget steps up drive to break domestic and family violence cycle
The State Budget ups the ante on domestic and family violence as part of a four-year, $12.9 million commitment to keep Queenslanders and their families safe.
(Media-Newswire.com) - The State Budget ups the ante on domestic and family violence as part of a four-year, $12.9 million commitment to keep Queenslanders and their families safe.
Community Services Minister Karen Struthers said the State Budget included an extra $3.3 million in 2011-12 to improve the safety and wellbeing of people affected by domestic and family violence.
“Domestic and family violence is not acceptable and every Queenslander has a right to feel safe in their own family environment,” she said.
“These funds will support extra safety measures for people under threat from partners or other family members, as well as projects to break the cycle of domestic and family violence.”
Ms Struthers said the extra investment came on top of the more than $190 million committed annually to tackling domestic and family violence, including women's shelters, counselling and perpetrator programs and the Department’s Domestic and Family Violence Death Review Unit based in the coroner’s office.
Today’s Budget funds will mean more people will be able to get safety audits of their homes and extra security like security screens and sensor lights installed free as one measure to help increase their safety from violent or abusive family members.
An extra $286,000 in 2011-2012 and more than $1.1 million annually from 2012-13 will extend the safety upgrade initiative to a total of six centres, with new services in Mt Isa, Emerald, Brisbane’s outer northern outskirts and Ipswich.
The service will be available to people whose partners are the subject of court orders requiring them to stay away from the home.
Ms Struthers said the measures would help to keep people affected by domestic and family violence safe and supported in their own homes.
“This reduces the trauma of relocating themselves and their families, minimises disruption in their lives and keeps victims and their children in touch with their existing support networks,” she said.
Additional funding of $3.8 million will continue a ground-breaking trial in Rockhampton that is successfully tackling all aspects of domestic and family violence.
Ms Struthers said a Breaking the Cycle team of a police officer, domestic violence expert and child protection worker works with affected individuals and families to plan for their safety and coordinate the services they need to reduce violence and its impact.
This could include counselling, behaviour change programs for people using violence, assistance with court orders, managing court appearances and intensive case management to deal with broader issues like alcohol and drug abuse and mental health.
“Breaking the Cycle is about tackling all of the issues that contribute to domestic and family violence and coordinating responses. Importantly, it’s getting results,” Ms Struthers said.
“Within this initiative, child protection issues are decreasing, victims are feeling better supported, and more perpetrators are going to behaviour change programs.”
The Budget also includes ongoing funds of $1.1 million in 2011-12 and $1.4 million from 2012-13 for domestic violence services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Cherbourg, the Cooktown district and the Torres Strait Islands.
Ms Struthers said the extra funding would allow the services to expand their work. Support would be available for the whole family, including perpetrators as well as victims and children, and training and support for staff will be improved.
“I urge all Queenslanders to challenge attitudes to Act as 1 against behaviours that allow domestic and family violence to occur. This is why my department is promoting the campaign slogan You Could be the 1 to Make a Difference.
"We need people to speak up if they hear or witness domestic violence, to call the police or call the DV Connect helpline on 1800 811 811.”
Media contact: Minister Struthers’ office 3235 4286
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