- Published:
- Tuesday 2 May 2017
The Andrews Labor Government is delivering on its promised Support and Safety Hubs, giving survivors of family violence access to crucial support.
The Victorian Budget 2017/18 will invest $448.1 million to establish 17 Support and Safety Hubs across the state.
The Hubs, which were a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence, will put the safety of women and children first.
They will serve as a visible contact point for victim survivors and give local communities access to highly skilled workers with connections to the justice system and social services, including housing.
The first Hubs will be launched in the Barwon, Bayside Peninsula, Inner Gippsland, Mallee and North-East Melbourne DHHS regions later this year.
The Labor Government is also delivering the Central Information Point, with the Budget providing $101.2 million so government and family violence agencies can better share information.
Previously, the inability to share information about perpetrators has been a significant gap in the system and has left women and children more vulnerable.
The Central Information Point will bring together police, courts, corrections and social workers to share vital information that will track perpetrators and ensure victims are kept safe.
This reform builds on changes to legislation, currently before the Parliament, which will make information sharing less complicated and put the needs of victims and their safety first.
The Budget also invests $95.4 million in Victoria’s social services and justice workforces to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge to better target family violence.
This funding will establish a Centre for Workplace Excellence and see the roll out of a plan to improve workforce capability and training.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“Our 17 Safety Hubs will provide vital protection and support. For many victims, knowing they have somewhere safe to go will make all the difference.”
“The Royal Commission has given us a once in a lifetime opportunity to build a new system that will prevent family violence, make perpetrators accountable and protect victim survivors.”
Quotes attributable to Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings
“Through our new Central Information Point, we’ll make sure the privacy of perpetrators never trumps the safety of victims.”
“Our reforms will give family violence workers the skills and information they need to better protect Victorian women and children from violence into the future.”