- Cook Labor Government invests more than half a billion dollars in programs to prevent family and domestic violence and hold perpetrators to account
- New funding of $86 million brings total investment since 2017 to more than $500 million
- Latest investment boosts funding to refuges and provides support for children and young people
The Cook Labor Government is committed to preventing family and domestic violence (FDV), with more than half a billion dollars invested since 2017.
Premier Roger Cook today announced an $86 million funding package for programs which keep victim-survivors safe and hold perpetrators to account, bringing the State Government's total new investment to $564.4 million in the past seven years.
This includes an additional boost of almost $19 million for refuge service providers to continue their critical work in supporting victim-survivors, including those with complex needs. The investment means every refuge organisation in the State will receive an uplift in funding.
It builds on the $18.3 million investment in the 2023-24 State Budget, bringing total annual investment in refuges in 2024-25 to $48.2 million.
In addition, $8.2 million has been committed to design and pilot a range of therapeutic services to assist children and young people impacted by family and domestic violence.
The Cook Government recognises that growing up in households where violence is occurring can have a lasting impact on children.
This delivers on a key ask from the Family and Domestic Violence Summit held in August last year and aligns with the System Reform Plan, which was developed by the historic Family and Domestic Violence Taskforce. Other initiatives funded as part of today's announcement include:
- $41.5 million to implement the Family Violence Legislation Reform Act 2024, including funding for additional police resources and Department of Justice staff to expand electronic monitoring of FDV offenders and support victim-survivors;
- $11 million to boost FDV treatment programs to reflect current referral rates, holding perpetrators to account and changing behaviour; and
- $2.9 million to extend the family violence restraining order shuttle conferencing program, supporting victim-survivors engaging in the court process.
The funding package was announced during the 16 Days in WA campaign, which encourages everyone in the community to play their part to end family and domestic violence in WA.
For more information on 16 Days in WA, visit https://16days.wa.gov.au/
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"This historic investment of more than half a billion dollars since 2017 is a testament to the WA Labor Government's long-standing commitment to preventing family and domestic violence.
"From significant law reforms, to expanded crisis services, investments in prevention programs and the delivery of recovery services, my Government is playing its part when it comes to addressing family and domestic violence.
"The $86 million announced today will build on this important work to end the evil and unacceptable scourge of family and domestic violence."
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton:
"This significant funding package is another example of the Cook Government's focus on supporting victim-survivors of family and domestic violence.
"I have visited many refuges and know that this investment will continue to support the incredible work they do.
"We know in many domestic violence incidents children are not just witnesses but victims in their own right. I have met several adult victim-survivors who recall staying in the same refuge many years earlier as a child with their own mother.
"Making sure children get the therapeutic supports they need to recover is critical in helping to break the cycle of violence.
"During this year's 16 Days in WA campaign, I want to acknowledge the frontline family and domestic violence workers who do an extraordinary job supporting victim-survivors every day."
