The Allan Labor Government is supporting more women and children experiencing family violence to stay safely in their own home and communities as part of a Victorian-first trial in Geelong.
Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Natalie Hutchins today officially launched the start of the Safe At Home initiative in Geelong – with a $6 million investment to enable victim survivors of family violence to stay safely at home.
For too long, women and children experiencing family violence have been forced to leave their homes to escape violence with life-changing consequences including the risk of homelessness, social isolation and loss of community, schools and workplaces.
Together with McAuley Community Services and Meli, the Labor Government will deliver this three-year trial to enable 54 victim-survivors to remain in their home and community, while the perpetrator is removed from the home and given support to change their behaviour.
Safe At Home can be rapidly activated within 48 hours of referral and will include a single case manager to establish a plan and identify immediate and ongoing needs. It will provide families with specialist supports in housing, employment, child and cultural support if required.
To keep women and children safe, case managers will assess risk and provide access to Flexible Support Packages which can include everything from fixing broken windows and locks to security measures.
Throughout this time, victim survivors and the person who uses violence will be provided with access to a range of services, including counselling, legal and financial advice as well as housing, health and community specialists.
This builds on the Labor Government’s package of reforms that will drive action at every stage: responding to victims when violence occurs, delivering a stronger justice response that holds offenders to account, and continuing Victoria’s world-leading prevention response – stopping violence before it starts.
The Safe At Home pilot is part of the Labor Government’s $92.8 million Strengthening Women’s Safety Package, which includes work to prevent violence and provide tailored responses for women and children who experience family violence, while keeping the focus on holding men who use violence accountable.