Urgent funding boost needed

A LOCAL family-violence centre has delivered more than double the case management support that it was funded to provide in 2020-21, as demand increases across Geelong and the Surf Coast, exacerbated by COVID-19 lockdowns.

The Geelong West-based Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre remains open throughout lockdowns and victims are urged to seek help, without fear of breaching restrictions.

However, despite the state government’s investment in family violence reforms, SAFV chief executive officer Helen Bolton said more funding to provide support services was urgently needed.

“To ensure our organisation can continue to deliver this service in line with the demand, we need funding that truly reflects the level of need in the community for family violence and we know this need continues to grow,” Helen said.

The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre provides free and confidential support to women and children experiencing family violence and all people impacted by sexual assault.

“At the point of entry into our service, clients are given support across a range of pathways to recovery, including immediate brief support, case management, court support, counselling, therapeutic groups, trauma-informed yoga, body and mind programs or early intervention programs,” Helen said.

“For family violence case management support, we had a 37-per-cent increase in women, children and young people supported per month in 2020-2021, compared to 2018-2019.

“In the last financial year, we have provided more than double our funded target for family violence case management support, delivering 1,415 support periods against our funded target.

“The Victorian Government has invested significantly in family violence reforms over the past five years and as a result, we have been able to offer a greater range of family violence services, such as the therapeutic family violence group programs.

“We are also a partner in the Barwon Orange Door, which is an entry point for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children,” she said.

“Despite this investment across Victoria, our funding for specialist family violence case management services has remained relatively unchanged since 2016 and is not consistent with the demand for these support services.”

Helen said clients indicated they had experienced an increase in physical violence and abuse, sexual violence, controlling behaviour, psychological abuse, verbal abuse and financial abuse from the perpetrator during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Between January to March this year, 56 per cent of the women we supported for family violence case management, were at elevated risk, serious risk or serious risk requiring immediate protection.

“From March to June this year, these same risk levels were recorded for 75 per cent of the women we supported; from January-June 2021, 38 per cent of women also reported being sexually assaulted in addition to their experience of family violence.”

Helen said, in response to the demand, SAFV had changed the way they operated during lockdowns.

“Our doors now remain open with specialist intake practitioners available at our Spring Street office to support women and children who need support for family violence or sexual assault,” she said.

“This includes support for women experiencing emotional and financial abuse, controlling and intimidating behaviour and anything that makes them feel unsafe.

“Our practitioners are available in-person, over the phone or video conferencing, and via webchat on our website for anyone that needs support,” she said.

“We have a team of qualified practitioners to continue this support overnight and on weekends with access to accommodation, police and medical assistance if needed.”

According to the Crime Statistic Agency, there were 4,283 reported family violence incidents in 2020 in Greater Geelong, an increase of 14.2 per cent on the previous year, and in the Surf Coast area, there were 316 reported family violence incidents, an increase of three per cent on the previous year.

If you or someone you know needs support, email [email protected] or phone 5222 4318 for support.

SAFV doors are open at 59-63 Spring Street, Geelong West, or for support after hours, contact the Sexual Assault Crisis Line (24 Hours) on 1800 806 292 or safe steps (24 Hours) on 1800 015 188.