The Albanese Labor Government is stepping up its response to family, domestic and sexual violence in South Australia, today announcing an additional $22.78 million in federal funding to deliver timely support for those affected by violence and hold more perpetrators to account.
A $22.17 million boost will continue the 500 Workers Initiative in South Australia through to 2030, helping to support frontline workers who are providing critical assistance to victim-survivors.
This forms part of a 72% national funding boost for this initiative, recognising frontline workers’ specialist skills and expertise.
Alongside record investments towards frontline services, the Government is also backing programs that stop violence before it starts and break cycles of harm for good.
Early intervention is critical, with around half of domestic violence offenders reoffending within four years.
An extra $610,000 is also being invested to extend a specialised program for South Australian fathers who have used violence in the past, helping them to build healthier and respectful relationships with their families.
Repair4Respect, delivered by Relationships Australia SA, will help high-risk fathers of children under 16 understand the impact of their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions.
Repair4Respect will deliver innovative 1:1 counselling to complement the group based Reset2Respect Program.
While investments into prevention and response initiatives like these have led to progress, too many Australians continue to experience violence.
The Government acknowledges that more work is needed to reduce harm and save lives.
That’s why consultations are underway across the country to identify what more we can do to deliver practical and systemic solutions that have the greatest impact.
The Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek, and the Attorney-General, Michelle Rowland, yesterday co-hosted a roundtable with experts and sector leaders in Adelaide as part of consultation to inform the development of the Second Action Plan under the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032 and the Second Action Plan under the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-2030.
Over the past few months, the Government has engaged with communities across Australia to learn what more we can do to deliver practical and systemic solutions that have the greatest impact.
Everyone is encouraged to have their say. More information on how to participate is available on the Department of Social Services website and the National Office for Child Safety website.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek:
“1 in 4 women and 1 in 14 men have experienced intimate partner violence since the age of 15.
“We’ve taken important steps to drive change and invested $4.4 billion since coming to Government.
“In South Australia, this includes funding to keep skilled workers on the ground saving lives every day and supporting programs that help stop violence before it starts. But we know that for too many people, change isn’t happening fast enough.
“That’s why we’re undertaking a major national consultation on the next chapter of our National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children. We’ve already heard from around 400 frontline services and experts around the country – from Whyalla to Cairns and Darwin to Devonport – to hear what more we can do to prevent violence, support victim-survivors and deliver lasting change.
"It was great to hear directly from South Australian experts and sector leaders yesterday about where we need to focus our efforts next to continue creating change.”
Quotes attributable to South Australian Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, Alice Rolls:
“South Australia welcomes this significant investment from the Albanese Labor Government. Building on the work of our Royal Commission, this $22.78 million will help strengthen frontline services, support victim-survivors and invest in programs that prevent violence before it starts.
“South Australia has shown its deep commitment to a safer future for women and children through its Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, but we know there is more work to do.
“Yesterday's roundtable was an opportunity to help shape the next National Action Plan and create a safer future for women and children.”