Anne Ruston, Federal Minister for Families and Social Services
Peter Gutwein, Premier & Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence
Sarah Courtney, Minister for Women
Claire Chandler, Liberal Senator for Tasmania
Eliminating family and sexual violence continues to be a top priority for the Tasmanian Government.
The Tasmanian and Australian Governments are pleased to announce the successful projects to be funded in Tasmania under the National Partnership: COVID-19 Domestic and Family Violence.
Under the National Partnership, the Government will receive around $1.5 million this financial year to help ensure the safety of women and their children, or those at risk of experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence during the coronavirus pandemic.
The funding will support 15 projects across the state and includes:
- Additional support for young people in rural communities (Dunalley-Tasman Neighbourhood House)
- Updating the Z-Card family violence information and services listing resource (Glenorchy City Council and other local government partners);
- Development of an eight episode podcast series to respond to demand for family violence related support services, during the COVID-19 pandemic (Women's Legal Service Tasmania);
- Development of resources to support culturally and linguistically diverse women and their families;
- Development of online video tutorials (Sexual Assault Support Service);
- Increased specialist family violence counselling for adults and children and young people (Engender Equality and the Australian Childhood Foundation);
- Delivery of new programs to support parents (Baptcare); and
- Development of resources and an App to support help seeking behaviour by people who use violence (Relationships Australia Tasmania).
The funding is in addition to the $2.7 million the Tasmanian Government has provided to respond to family and sexual violence during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of our $1 billion Social and Economic Support package.
Federal Minister for Families and Social Services, Anne Ruston said the funding boost to Tasmania formed part of the Australian Government's $150 million domestic violence response package to deal with the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
"Our priority is ensuring women and children who are experiencing family and domestic violence reach out for support and that they are able to access it as quickly as possible despite the crisis," Minister Ruston said.
"We will continue to work closely with states and territories over the next six months to allocate the remaining funding to where it is most needed."
Premier Peter Gutwein said it also builds on other initiatives in our state's Safe Homes, Families, Communities: Tasmania's action plan for family and sexual violence 2019-2022 (Safe Homes, Families, Communities).
"We are investing $26 million over three years to deliver the next stage of our comprehensive plan to prevent and respond to family and sexual violence in Tasmania with significant new supports and services across the state," he said.
"The plan clearly outlines a vision for our State where all Tasmanians are safe, equal and respected and our homes, families and communities are free from all forms of family and sexual violence and this funding will help support the work that is already underway."
As Minister for Women, Sarah Courtney said that throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the Government has remained committed to preventing and responding to all forms of family and sexual violence in the community and this funding would also ensure services can continue to support those who need assistance.
Liberal Senator for Tasmania Claire Chandler said the Morrison Coalition Government was working through the National Partnership to prevent family violence and protect people who are at risk of experiencing it.
"Family and domestic violence has a devastating impact on individuals, families, and the community, and this funding forms part of the Government's approach to prevent incidents and assist those affected by this scourge," Senator Chandler said.
