On 1 May 2018, the Victorian Labor State Government reinforced its investment in the 10-Year Industry Plan for Family Violence Prevention and Response, $5m over the course of one year.
The Victorian State Budget 2018/19 also paves the way for strengthening the skills required to work safely with men who cause fear and harm in homes across the state.
Additionally, this Budget has invested $300m into job growth with more training in key priority areas. For over 20 years, No to Violence has been developing the qualifications and professional development enabling practitioners to attain professional skill sets and work with men in such a way that women and children are kept safe.
The CEO from No to Violence, Australia’s largest peak body representing organisations and practitioners who work with men to shift their thinking and change behaviour, says:
“We are committed to working with the Victorian Government to build the skills of men’s specialist family violence practitioners, and grow our workforce to meet overwhelming demand.” – Jacqui Watt CEO No to Violence
As many family violence practitioners will attest, we’re not even close to seeing the end of family violence in Victoria, or Australia more broadly. During 2017, one woman died every week at the hands of a current or former partner (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2018). This is unacceptable, and further highlights why the Victorian Government must keep family violence in view.
Jacqui Watt continues:
“Last year the Victorian Labor State Government invested a remarkable amount of money, $1.9 billion over four years, to address the problem of family violence in Victoria. Australia has never seen this level of response, action and commitment from a state government. However, we can’t pretend that family violence is now somehow ‘fixed’ or disappearing from homes in our communities.”
Building on last year’s record funding announcement, the 2018/19 State Budget further invests to address family violence over the next four years with a focus on therapeutic and crisis support to victims, $77.5m; implementing the Free from Violence prevention strategy, $24m; and the Aboriginal 10-Year Family Violence Plan, $13.5m.
Other quotes attributable to Jacqui Watt:
“Today we would have been buoyed to see a greater financial commitment to the prevention of violence against women, and an ongoing commitment to ensuring family violence is kept in view well into the future.
After today, we’re heading into election mode, and with a lack of bi-partisan support and investment into the Royal Commission into Family Violence recommendations, it does paint a picture of uncertainty.
Fundamentally, we must continue to work with men who use family violence differently otherwise we will continue to see women and children murdered, suffering permanent injury and illness, all as a result of men’s use of family violence.”
For Victorian State Budget updates, follow No to Violence on Twitter, @NTVorg and Facebook, No to Violence.
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Media enquiries:
Contact Camille Gierck on 0401 337 241 or camilleg@ntv.org.au
Further interview and photo opportunities also possible on request.
