Domestic Violence is everyones business

Domestic Violence and Women’s Refuge’s to important to underfund.

Domestic violence is the leading cause of death and injury to women in NSW. A domestic violence victim having to sleep on the floor of the police station In Nowra  is just one part of the body of evidence that government at all levels is failing women and children subjected to domestic violence.

The Federal Governments recent senate enquiry ‘Domestic Violence in Australia’ has to date recorded 163 submissions not one thinks we as a nation are getting this issue right.

“It’s unfair that women have to face a phone interrogation with Link 2 Home before they can even be considered for accommodation, women who present to the police are traumatised and need support not an inquisition ”. Said Greens candidate Amanda Findley.

According to Mrs Findley the NSW State Governments ‘Going Home-Staying Home’ strategy is failing women and children and placing vulnerable people back into dangerous situations.

“Crisis accommodation is urgent and in critical need here in the Shoalhaven. The services should be run locally through an integrated network of agencies looking out for the needs of women.”

The Greens have campaigned strongly to maintain funding to women’s refuges’ but sadly this hasn’t been achieved across the state.

The Greens recognise that family and domestic violence is a killer and has announced a range of initiatives to tackle this often hidden problem.

“The Greens initiatives include practical and preventative approaches we plan to put $100 million in new funding towards violence prevention, return and  increase in funds for refuge’s , and a safe supportive justice system.” said Amanda.

“The Greens believe like many of those who made submission’s to the enquiry that education from a young age is an important part of addressing the issue of domestic violence in Australia.”

·         Appointing a Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence tasked with ensuring integration and coordination across government agencies, the community sector and the justice system. 

·         Investing in violence prevention initiatives across all parts of society – communities, schools, workplaces, businesses, sport and recreation settings, and the media.  

·         Funding targeted education programs in schools from early childhood to high school to build awareness of gender stereotyping, inequality and attitudes that encourage violence. 

·         Funding community and workplace based initiatives to prevent violence and foster respectful and equal relationships between men and women. 

·         Funding specialised services to support men and boys who are at risk or have a history of violent behaviour in domestic and family situations to acknowledge and change behaviour. 

·         Restoring funding and increasing to women-only specialist services, refuges and shelters, and increasing funding to these services in rural/regional areas. 

·         Investing in programs and services that meet the specific needs of at risk groups, such as Aboriginal, immigrant. 

·         Investing in trauma informed support services for women and children that support and enable healing, including accommodation and post-crisis services. 

·         Investing in skills development for community workers at the front line of supporting victims of domestic and family violence. 

·         A safe and supportive justice system. Improving the justice system by providing access to specialist family violence support workers, court staff and magistrates who understand the dynamics of family violence, and increase funding for free legal advice for women.

 

Submitted to South Coast Register and Milton Ulladulla Times