- Published:
- Wednesday 27 September 2017
In an Australian first, partners and children of online child sex offenders will receive more support to deal with the burden often placed upon them.
Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos has announced the Andrews Labor Government will provide $350,000 for peer support organisation PartnerSPEAK to expand its reach and help more people.
PartnerSPEAK is a peer support agency for affected partners concerned about child exploitation material viewed by their spouses or family members.
The funding will enable PartnerSPEAK to pilot a range of services for the partners and families of online child sex offenders and broaden understanding of their struggle.
PartnerSPEAK will deliver a face-to-face peer support program and an online peer support program for partners of online child sex offenders.
They will also deliver a series of workshops for government agencies and community services to ensure more support can be provided to Victorians in need.
The funding recognises the trauma faced by the families of child sex offenders, who are often the people who discover the offending.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos
“I was moved to meet with PartnerSPEAK last year after hearing the powerful stories of people who had made these shocking discoveries and the impact their partner’s actions had on them.”
“This funding will be important to ensure that people who experience this trauma receive the support they need to process what has happened.”
Quotes attributable to Founder and CEO of PartnerSPEAK Natalie Walker
“PartnerSPEAK helps people directly connect with other partners and family members who understand what they are going through, because they have similar lived experiences.”
“Almost every time a partner comes to PartnerSPEAK she expresses relief and gratitude at being heard by someone else who has lived through this trauma and understands without judgment.”