The Albanese Labor Government is stepping up its response to family, domestic and sexual violence in South Australia, today announcing an additional $22.78 million in federal funding to deliver timely support for those affected by violence and hold more perpetrators to account.
A $22.17 million boost will continue the 500 Workers Initiative in South Australia through to 2030, helping to support frontline workers who are providing critical assistance to victim-survivors.
This forms part of a 72% national funding boost for this initiative, recognising frontline workers’ specialist skills and expertise.
Alongside record investments towards frontline services, the Government is also backing programs that stop violence before it starts and break cycles of harm for good.
Early intervention is critical, with around half of domestic violence offenders reoffending within four years.
An extra $610,000 is also being invested to extend a specialised program for South Australian fathers who have used violence in the past, helping them to build healthier and respectful relationships with their families.
Repair4Respect, delivered by Relationships Australia SA, will help high-risk fathers of children under 16 understand the impact of their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions.
Repair4Respect will deliver innovative 1:1 counselling to complement the group based Reset2Respect Program.
While investments into prevention and response initiatives like these have led to progress, too many Australians continue to experience violence.
The Government acknowledges that more work is needed to reduce harm and save lives.
That’s why consultations are underway across the country to identify what more we can do to deliver practical and systemic solutions that have the greatest impact.
The Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek, and the Attorney-General, Michelle Rowland, yesterday co-hosted a roundtable with experts and sector leaders in Adelaide as part of consultation to inform the development of the Second Action Plan under the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032 and the Second Action Plan under the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-2030.
Over the past few months, the Government has engaged with communities across Australia to learn what more we can do to deliver practical and systemic solutions that have the greatest impact.
