The WA government has committed $86 million to prevent family and domestic violence, boosting support for refuges and creating new programs for children and young people.
The state government has unveiled an $86 million commitment to prevent family and domestic violence, boosting support for refuges and creating new programs for children and young people.
The investment would increase funding for every refuge organisation across Western Australia, while $8.2 million would be used to fund the design and pilot of therapeutic programs for children and young people impacted by FDV.
The state government revealed $41.5 million of the new funding would be used to implement the Family Violence Legislation Reform Act 2024, while $11 million would boost FDV treatment programs to hold perpetrators to account and promote behavioural changes.
A commitment of $2.9 million would extend the FDV restraining order shuttle conferencing program, which supports victim-survivors engaging in the court process, and nearly $19 million would support refuges to assist victim-survivors with complex needs.
The state government’s announcement comes amid the state’s 16 Days in WA campaign, which runs from November 25 to December 10 each year and engages community to actively help end violence against women.
Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton said the new funding would support refuges to continue delivering important services to Western Australians impacted by FDV.
“I have visited many refuges and know that this investment will continue to support the incredible work they do,” Ms Winton said.
“We know in many domestic violence incidents children are not just witnesses but victims in their own right. I have met several adult victim-survivors who recall staying in the same refuge many years earlier as a child with their own mother.
“Making sure children get the therapeutic supports they need to recover is critical in helping to break the cycle of violence.
“During this year’s 16 Days in WA campaign, I want to acknowledge the frontline family and domestic violence workers who do an extraordinary job supporting victim-survivors every day.”
Premier Roger Cook said the state government investment would contribute to ending the unacceptable scourge of family and domestic violence.
“This historic investment of more than half a billion dollars since 2017 is a testament to the WA Labor Government’s long-standing commitment to preventing family and domestic violence,” he said.
“From significant law reforms, to expanded crisis services, investments in prevention programs and the delivery of recovery services, my government is playing its part when it comes to addressing family and domestic violence.”
The new funding means the state government has invested more than $560 million over the past seven years to prevent family and domestic violence.
