{"id":1753,"date":"2019-03-06T03:25:28","date_gmt":"2019-03-06T03:25:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=1753"},"modified":"2019-03-06T03:25:28","modified_gmt":"2019-03-06T03:25:28","slug":"record-funding-to-reduce-domestic-violence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2019\/03\/06\/record-funding-to-reduce-domestic-violence\/","title":{"rendered":"Record funding to reduce domestic violence"},"content":{"rendered":"

Combating violence against women and children remains one of the Morrison Government\u2019s top priorities, as part of its plan to keep Australians safe.
\nThe Prime Minister said his Government would deliver the largest ever Commonwealth investment of $328 million for prevention and frontline services through the Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.
\n\u201cOur Government\u2019s first priority is to keep Australians safe. To hear the accounts of survivors, and see the statistics, it\u2019s just not good enough,\u201d the Prime Minister said.
\n\u201cThat\u2019s why we are investing $328 million for the Fourth Action Plan to fund prevention, response and recovery initiatives.
\n\u201cThis is the largest ever Commonwealth contribution to the National Plan.
\n\u201cTo stop violence against women, we need to counter the culture of disrespect towards women.
\n\u201cA culture of disrespect towards women is a precursor to violence, and anyone who doesn\u2019t see that is kidding themselves.
\n\u201cThat\u2019s why we are investing so heavily in prevention with $68.3 million to stop violence before it begins.
\n\u201cThis is about changing attitudes to violence, and helping those who think violence is an option, to stop.
\n\u201cWe will also develop Australia\u2019s first national prevention strategy to stop domestic and family violence and sexual assault, and continue our work to change the attitudes and beliefs that can lead to violence.\u201d
\nThe National Plan connects the important work being done by all Australian governments, community organisations and individuals so that Australian women and children can live in safe communities.
\nThe National Plan and the Government\u2019s investments are the product of extensive consultations with frontline workers and survivors ahead of the release of the Fourth Action Plan 2019-22 in mid-2019.
\nMinister for Families and Social Services Paul Fletcher said the Commonwealth would invest $35 million in support and prevention measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and $78 million to provide safe places for people impacted by domestic and family violence.
\n\u201cWe will act against the different forms abuse can take, including preventing financial abuse and technology-facilitated abuse, and we have included specific measures targeted to address the risks faced by women with intellectual disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women,\u201d Minister Fletcher said.
\nThe Commonwealth commitment will also fund targeted prevention initiatives to reach culturally and linguistically diverse communities and people with disability.
\n\u201cDomestic violence is a risk that all women face – but we recognise that specific groups may have particular vulnerability, which is why there are specific targeted measures included in this package.\u201d
\n\u201cToday\u2019s announcement brings Commonwealth investment in this space since 2013 to over $840 million,\u201d said Mr Fletcher.
\nThe Commonwealth\u2019s commitment also provides $82 million for frontline services, including investments to improve and build on the systems responsible for keeping women and children safe, such as free training for health workers to identify and better support domestic violence victims, and the development of national standards for sexual assault responses.
\nThe Coalition will investment $64 million in 1800RESPECT to support the service, which has rapidly grown in scope as more Australians find the courage to seek help and advice.
\nMinister for Women Kelly O\u2019Dwyer said all women and children have the right to feel safe, and to feel supported to seek help when they need it.
\n\u201cThe statistics on this issue are shocking \u2013 one in six women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or former partner since the age of 15. This figure increases to nearly one in four women when violence by boyfriends, girlfriends and dates is included,\u201d Minister O\u2019Dwyer said.
\n\u201cThe safety of women and children is vitally important. Our Government has zero tolerance for violence against women and children.
\n\u201cWhether it\u2019s at home, in the workplace, in our communities or online, all women and children deserve to be safe.\u201d
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