Jacquie Petrusma,Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is providing an additional $500,000 to sexual assault support services in response to an increase in demand across the State.
The Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS) and Laurel House will each receive an additional $250,000 to provide specialist recovery-based services that support children, young people and adults affected by sexual assault and violence.
As the new Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, it was empowering to hear firsthand today from Laurel House and SASS about their ongoing work to support those impacted by sexual assault and violence.
Since 2015, the Tasmanian Government has delivered our comprehensive Family and Sexual Violence Action Plans, implementing fully funded evidence-based initiatives.
This year, I will lead the development of Tasmania's third Action Plan in consultation with the Family and Sexual Violence Consultative Group and Tasmanians with lived experience.
While our Family and Sexual Violence Action plans have significantly increased the level of support and services available to victim-survivors, we acknowledge that increased awareness is also leading to increased demand for our support services.
This is being seen across the country, as more people come forward to report.
The additional funding will help our sexual assault organisations to meet demand, and will be used to employ additional counsellors to support more Tasmanians across the State.
