Multicultural and faith-based communities across Victoria will be backed to prevent and respond to family and sexual violence with more support from the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Natalie Hutchins announced the 17 successful recipients who will share in more than $5.7 million in funding through the second round of the Working Together: Strengthening Family and Sexual Violence Support with Multicultural Communities program.
The program builds stronger connections between multicultural and faith-based organisations and the family and sexual violence sector - breaking down barriers to support and delivering more inclusive and culturally safe services.
Family and sexual violence occur across all communities; however, some communities experience unique forms of harm and tailored, community-led responses are essential to providing safety and healing.
One of the recipients, GenWest, is partnering with Jesuit Social Services to embed a settlement support worker into GenWest's early intervention team - strengthening support for multicultural communities in Melbourne's west.
For the first time, this round includes projects focused specifically on sexual violence. In regional Victoria, Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council will partner with the Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault to deliver culturally sensitive responses and workforce training.
The Labor Government has invested more than $4 billion - more than any other state or territory - to prevent and respond to family violence. Work is progressing on the Strengthening Women's Safety Package, announced last year, to change laws, change culture and deliver addition supports for victim survivors of family violence.
The program is jointly funded by the Allan Labor Government and the Albanese Labor Government under the National Partnership on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses.
For the full list of grant recipients, visit vic.gov.au/working-together-grants.
As stated by Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Natalie Hutchins
"We're making sure every Victorian - no matter their culture, language or faith - can get the support they need when facing family or sexual violence."
"This program helps organisations that communities already know and trust to connect people with the services and support they need to be safe."
As stated by Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt
""This funding will support multicultural and faith communities to deliver the culturally safe and trusted help that people need when facing family and sexual violence."
