The Albanese and Cook Labor Governments are partnering to boost the number of frontline and community sector workers to help victim-survivors of family, domestic, and sexual violence in times of need.
Funded through an extension to the National Partnership on Family, Domestic, and Sexual Violence Responses (FDSV) 2021-2027 (the FDSV National Partnership), Western Australia will allocate 50 workers to bolster frontline responses to domestic violence.
Expressions of interest are being invited from organisations to deliver this initiative.
The initiative is being funded through a combined investment of $16.2 million from the Albanese Government, and $4.8 million from the Cook Government.
Under the FDSV National Partnership, the Albanese Government is providing a total of $169.4 million over four years across all jurisdictions to deliver new frontline jobs in the women’s safety sector.
Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Justine Elliot highlighted the importance of a well-resourced workforce that meets the diverse needs of victim-survivors.
“Each victim-survivor requires tailored support, and there are a variety of factors that need to be considered when responding to family, domestic, and sexual violence,” Assistant Minister Elliot said.
“The frontline worker initiative will help the workforce to deliver specialist services and tailored support across the state.
“This initiative aims to meet the needs of diverse cohorts, including First Nations people, those in rural and remote areas, people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, and the LGBTIQA+ community.”
Western Australian Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, Sabine Winton, said that Western Australia recognised the importance of this opportunity to partner with the Albanese Government.
“This initiative allows Western Australia to continue to grow our support for victim-survivors where they need it most,” Minister Winston said.
“These additional workers will allow Western Australia to build its capacity to respond to women and children requiring support in a timely and trauma-informed way.
“I am proud that the Cook Government, in close collaboration with the Albanese Government, is continuing to improve specialist service providers to support victim-survivors of family, domestic, and sexual violence.”
The Albanese Government has invested $2.3 billion across the October and May Budgets towards implementing the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 and other women’s safety initiatives.
More information about the expressions of interest process can be found on TendersWA. Applications close on Thursday 7 December.
More information on the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 can be found on the Department of Social Services website.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, family, domestic, or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au
You can also contact the Western Australian Women’s Family Domestic Helpline on 1800 007 339 and the Men’s Family and Domestic Helpline on 1800 000 559.