The Albanese Labor Government is supporting women living in Dubbo to leave violent intimate partner relationships.
Bunmabunmarra Service Pty Ltd will receive $6.3 million to deliver culturally safe programs to support victim-survivors of intimate partner violence in the regional NSW area.
This is one of three place-based trials commencing from 1 July – part of the next stage of the $925 million Leaving Violence Program.
The Government is investing $22.35 million in trials in Dubbo, Broome in Western Australia and Darwin in the Northern Territory, to provide tailored, trauma-informed support to victim-survivors.
Bunmabunmarra Service Pty Ltd will also support victim-survivors to access the Leaving Violence Program.
Under the Leaving Violence Program, eligible victim-survivors receive financial support of up to $5,000, including up to $1,500 in cash and the remainder in goods and services. Supports include safety planning, risk assessment and referrals to other essential services for up to 12 weeks. The national program is expected to support over 36,000 victim-survivors a year.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said financial barriers can be a huge impediment to victim-survivors breaking free of a violent relationship.
“The Albanese Labor Government is absolutely committed to ending family, domestic and sexual violence in a generation. We want people to know if they need to leave, they can afford to go,” Minster Rishworth said.
“These regional trials will provide a financial and practical lifeline for people experiencing intimate partner violence in regional Australia, helping them break free from abusive relationships and build a life free from violence.”
Assistant Minister for Social Security and Women Kate Thwaites said people experiencing violence would have access to culturally safe programs through the trials.
“It’s important for anyone experiencing intimate partner violence to have a range of options to choose from when seeking support.
“Increasing the access and choices for this program will help more people experiencing violence, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, to receive support and to leave violent intimate partner relationships.”
Intimate partner violence is a problem of epidemic proportions in Australia, with a quarter of all Australian women having experienced it in their lifetime.
The Leaving Violence Program helps support the aims of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32 to end violence in one generation, and forms part of the Albanese Government’s $4 billion investment in women’s safety since 2022.
More than 78,000 victim-survivors have accessed the EVP payment since 2021. Over 70 per cent of those accessing the support were self-referrals meaning without this program they may have fallen through the cracks of the support system.
More information on the Leaving Violence Program is available on the Department of Social Services website.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732.
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 http://www.ntv.org.au
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