The NSW Government has assured further support will be offered for victim-survivors of domestic violence struggling to find a home that promises them safety.
Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward announced the expansion of the Staying Home Leaving Violence Program to 14 additional locations.
The Staying Home Leaving Violence program offers all victim-survivors, including those within the Indian community, legal assistance, financial advice, necessary home security and intensive case management.
Today’s announcement boosts the potential for vulnerable women and children to hold the key to a safer home within their local area in more local government areas than before.
The LGAs which will now be allocated the required resources as part of the Staying Home Leaving Violence program are:
- Mid-Coast
- Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter
- Armidale, Uralla and Walcha
- Canterbury and Burwood
- Georges River
- Sutherland
- Wagga Wagga and Junee
- Parkes, Forbes and Cowra
- Bathurst and Lithgow
- Mid-Western
- Queanbeyan-Palerang
“This program will allow more women and children across the state to stay closer to their family, friends, school and employment, while receiving support and the services they need to remain safe while they rebuild their lives.” said Ward.
Ward continued to explain how $12.5 million will now be allocated to phase two and three of the program’s expansion alongside the services being implemented in 11 new locations and trialled in 3 additional locations.
This development follows the announcement made earlier this year for the first phase of the program’s expansion, including $20 million for Staying Home Leaving Violence service providers to continue building the program.
Minister for Women, Regional Health and Mental Health Bronnie Taylor joined Ward in presenting the expansion and elaborated on the intended benefit victim-survivors.
“Many women and children who have suffered domestic violence often find themselves forced to flee their homes, and this means they may also lose touch with their trusted network,” said Taylor.
Adequate access to support has proven to be crucial to the livelihoods of women and children impacted by domestic violence within the NSW Indian Community.
With Australia being home to the second largest population of Indian migrants globally with the community contributing to 2.8% of the population, Indian victim-survivors living in Australia deserve the support of government programs to empower them.
Urgent assistance for Indian victim-survivors is further sobered by a study conducted in 2018 by the Department of Home Affairs finding that Indian migrants were granted the most visas under Family Violence provisions.
Taylor insisted those affected by domestic violence to consider the program by stating “We know that being surrounded by a strong support network is incredibly important for victim-survivors,”.
Those experiencing domestic violence and abuse are urged to contact the following services for further support:
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
The NSW Domestic Violence Line (1800 65 64 63)
NSW Rape Crisis (1800 424 017) or
Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491).
In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
