The State Government is offering grants of up to $5000 to youth service providers to develop domestic, family and sexual violence primary prevention programs that support vulnerable young people in South Australia.
Minister for Human Services Michelle Lensink said a total of $120,000 is available for youth service providers to develop initiatives aimed at young people.
"The Liberal Government is committed to tackling the scourge of domestic violence," said Minister Lensink.
"Initiatives that build young people's capacity to address the drivers of domestic, family and sexual violence and raise awareness of the issue are key elements we want to see in these primary prevention programs.
"We want to see programs that engage young people in developing communication and campaigns that encourage safe and respectful relationships.
"Offering these types of programs through youth support services is important, as many vulnerable young people are less likely to be engaged with mainstream education.
"It's vital we continue to improve services for vulnerable young people and raise awareness of the issues facing young people in the community.
"We know that young men aged 16 to 24 are at greatest risk of perpetrating violence, and young women are almost five times as likely to experience sexual assault than young men.
"Nationally, young women aged 18 to 24 are more likely to experience physical or sexual violence than any other age group.
"These statistics are shocking and we must continue to work closely with the providers at the forefront to address these issues."
The funding program also links to Committed to Safety, the Liberal Government's framework for achieving a coordinated, targeted series of actions to prevent and respond to domestic, family and sexual violence in South Australia.
Youth service providers who are successful in getting a grant will receive specialised training from Our Watch.
"Incorporating Our Watch's training directly into the grant process helps build the knowledge, understanding and capacity of the participating organisations. The organisations will get more than just a grant, with the chance to learn more about primary prevention practices and embed these into their business models," said Minister Lensink.
Interested providers are invited to respond to 'Youth Primary Prevention Grants' on the SA Tenders and Contracts website at www.tenders.sa.gov.au to express interest in the grant program, before 29 March 2019.
Grants will be awarded before 30 June 2019. The grant funding is part of the State Government's 2018 Youth Safety Strategy, which aims to improve services, systems and community awareness of youth safety issues.
More information about the 2018 Youth Safety Strategy and the grant program is available at www.dhs.sa.gov.au/services/community-services Committed to Safety is available at www.officeforwomen.sa.gov.au
