Safe and Equal is pleased today's Victorian Budget does not include any anticipated cuts to the specialist family violence sector, with the majority of lapsing funding renewed on a short-term basis.
This includes continued funding to support a whole-of-system approach to identifying, assessing and managing family violence risk using the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework (MARAM).
We are also pleased to see a focus on supporting children and young people experiencing family violence, including the continuation of the Children in Refuge program funding.
"It's certainly a relief to see many crucial programs renewed in today's budget; however, it's currently unclear if some of these have been refunded to the level they have been previously," said Tania Farha, Safe and Equal CEO.
"And while no major cuts is good news, we've expressed for a long time that more is needed to meaningfully address family and gender-based violence in our state – specifically the crippling demand we are seeing for frontline family violence services."
"These services save lives; yet have been under-resourced and stretched to their limits for far too long," said Ms Farha.
Family and gender-based violence remains a critical issue for Victorians. This year, at least seven Victorian women have been killed in preventable acts of domestic violence – one of the highest rates in Australia.
Beyond these tragic deaths, the number of family violence incidents attended by Victoria Police increased 11.3 per cent between 2023 and 2024 – an all-time high for our state.
"The prevalence of family and gender-based violence both in Victoria and across the country is beyond a crisis, it's a catastrophe," said Ms Farha.
"If we are serious about addressing this, we cannot afford to go backwards or to tread water – we need increased, sustained and secure funding for our sector into the future."
Safe and Equal is calling on the Victorian Government to urgently increase investment in frontline specialist family violence services, including those that provide interventions for men/people using violence, alongside primary prevention and early intervention initiatives.
"We welcome the Victorian Government's significant commitment to prevention with multicultural and faith communities in this budget; however, disappointingly there appears to be a reduction in primary prevention funding overall," said Ms Farha.
"We need to see an increased focus in the space, alongside long-term investment – because short-term, drip-fed funding doesn't create long-term, permanent change."
Safe and Equal is also calling on the Victorian Government to address the ongoing housing crisis for victim survivors by building 7,990 social housing dwellings every year for the next 10 years.
"Frustratingly, there's nothing in this budget to address housing for victim survivors of family violence," said Ms Farha.
"Family violence remains the leading cause of homelessness for women and children in Victoria. Without access to safe and affordable housing options, many victim survivors are faced with an impossible choice: stay in a violent home or escape and face homelessness. This is completely unacceptable."
More broadly, Safe and Equal is aware of a significant amount of funding due to lapse for the family violence sector next year across specialist family violence services and essential primary prevention programs.
"Now is not the time for the government to take its foot off the accelerator – doing so will lead to more lives lost and deeper harm to victim survivors," said Ms Farha.
"So much work has gone into building our state's response to family violence, and preventing this violence in the future. This work must not only be maintained, but strengthened."
"Yes, budgets are tight, but this is not optional. Failing to adequately and sustainably fund our sector into the future will cost lives. We cannot afford to prioritise highways and handcuffs over victim survivors," said Ms Farha.
We know there will never be a 'quick fix' for these complex issues and that meaningful change takes time. That's why we need a sustained, comprehensive approach from our state leaders – backed by the investment required – to continue to build a safer future for all Victorians.
About us:
About Safe and Equal
Safe and Equal is the peak body for Victorian organisations that specialise in family and gender-based violence across the continuum, including primary prevention, early intervention, response and recovery.
