State govt boosts family and domestic violence investment to $110m
The state government announced a $109.9 million investment against domestic and family violence; More than a third will go to expanding Family and Domestic Violence Response Teams.
In today’s announcement, Premier Roger Cook said $34.9 million will be allocated to teams made up of a partnership between the Department of Communities, the Western Australian Police Force, the Department of Justice Adult Community Corrections Service and the Family and Domestic Violence Coordinated Response Services.
The teams are working to increase the safety of the family and surviving victims after the police intervened in the incidents.
The funding will allow more staff and metropolitan staff to work seven days a week.
Accomodation
Yesterday, the Cook government announced that $14.8 million would be transferred to shelters and temporary accommodation in Albany, Broome and Midland.
The state government said its investments have delivered 91 units and 102 more are to come.
Nearly half of that housing investment will go to a shelter in Albany, adding much-needed additional units to the overloaded facility.
Southern Aboriginal Corporation’s $6.9 million contribution to the Albany Women’s Center will allow for the addition of six additional units to the facility, with construction on another six units underway.
The Anglicare WA-run shelter at Great Southern for women and children fleeing FDV has consisted of four rooms for more than 30 years, according to Joanna Fictoor, the nonprofit’s Great Southern manager.
Ms Fictoor from Anglicare WA said: Business News The center was unable to meet 77 accommodation requests from July 2024 to June this year as the shelter struggled to keep up with the area’s population growth.
Six new units in the Centre’s SAFE Spaces area will open in June next year with support from the federal government.
The state government’s investment will add six more units to the SAFE Spaces site, bringing the total to 12 units.
Ms Fictoor said this would allow the center to support the Great Southern, but Anglicare WA still hopes to invest more in transitional housing.
Response plan
Almost half of the total package has been deposited in the state government’s FDV intervention plan.
$45.8 million will be directed to the Safe at Home program, coercive control training for first responders, and behavior change programs for FDV perpetrators.
Counseling and treatment services for FDV victims and survivors will receive $19.4 million.
The investment will also be used to develop the state government’s plan for safe and fit-for-purpose accommodation and facilities for future victim survivors.
