Support services for people experiencing family and domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic will be boosted by more than $3 million in Commonwealth funding.
Nationally, the Commonwealth Government has committed $150 million in emergency funding to address the impacts of family and domestic violence during the pandemic and while related restrictions are in place.
This funding will help to ensure services can continue to focus on the immediate safety needs of people experiencing family and domestic violence.
From the initial $35 million in funding to be provided to the States and Territories this financial year, $3.1 million will flow to Western Australia this month.
This funding will be directed to four priority areas:
- supporting women experiencing violence to remain safely in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic;
- maintaining visibility over high-risk perpetrators during COVID-19 movement restrictions;
- access to emergency accommodation that complies with social distancing/isolation measures and wrap-around support for victims; and
- specific support for children staying in emergency accommodation with their parent.
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk:
"Past experience has shown that family and domestic violence can become more frequent and severe during periods of emergency.
"The community containment measures introduced to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and their impact on mobility and financial security will likely exacerbate the conditions in which family and domestic violence typically occurs.
"This additional funding will increase the supports that can be offered to those who need them, within a short period of time.
"This will include helping women and children experiencing domestic or family violence to stay safe - either in their homes, or in short-term accommodation.
"No matter what is going on in the world, violence is never acceptable.
"COVID-19 or not, everyone deserves to be safe in their own home."
