Campaigners Say A Lot More Than $100 Million Is Needed To Fight Domestic Violence

Advocates welcome the government's funding announcement but say it still leaves women in danger.

Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has been applauded for his first big policy announcement, a $100 million Women's Safety Package designed to help women and children at risk of violence.

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The package draws from money in a contingency reserve from the latest budget and includes technologies, education resources and frontline support.

Anti-domestic violence groups and service providers have welcomed the announcement, but they say it's just not enough to keep women safe and escape their abusers.

“Every day the government chooses not to fully fund family violence services is a day it leaves women in danger,” said Renee Carr, executive director of Fair Agenda.

Here's what they say is missing from the government's latest domestic violence package.

1.

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WHY IT MATTERS: Anti-domestic violence research group Fair Agenda says it's important for women escaping abuse to know their legal rights under family law, as well as information on how to sort out out shared funds, debts, loans and property.

WHAT THEY GOT: $15 million for specialised domestic violence units so women can access to legal services and other help in one location. It will also go towards legal training about domestic violence for health workers and legal services for patients in local hospitals.

WHAT THEY SAY: Rosslyn Monro from the National Association for Community Legal Centres says the 200 community legal centres in Australia have to turn away more than 150,000 people a year.

"The funding announced today is expected to increase some capacity, but thousands of women still won't be able to access the legal assistance they need to escape abuse," Munro said. Fair Agenda has called for $200 million each year to fund legal assistance services, as recommended by the Productivity Commission.

2.

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WHY IT MATTERS: Crisis accommodation such as women's refuges provides an exit point for women and children who are escaping domestic violence. It gives them somewhere to live for a couple of weeks to a few months, and they often provide crisis services.

WHAT THEY GOT: No specific mention of crisis accommodation in the government's package. The expansion of the Safer At Home program provides support for people experiencing domestic violence to install safety equipment like CCTV cameras in their homes. $5 million will go towards caseworkers to coordinate support for women, that will include housing, safety and budgeting services.

WHAT THEY SAY: Emergency accommodation services have to turn away 2,800 women fleeing family violence every year, according to a report by Fair Agenda. "It is concerning that none of this funding will address the immediate crisis domestic violence victims face – safe, crisis accommodation – what about tonight?" said CEO of Homelessness Australia, Glenda Stevens.

3.

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WHY IT MATTERS: Domestic violence is the greatest trigger of homelessness for women and children. Homelessness services also provide accommodation for men who have been removed from their homes after using violence against their family. This means they are less likely to return home and be a danger to their partners and children.

WHAT THEY GOT: No mention in the government's latest package. Earlier this year, the government's renewed commitment on the national partnership on homelessness did not index annual contributions, which meant an effective $2.3 million cut to services this year.

WHAT THEY SAY: The Greens have called on the government to restore $44 million cut from the construction of new homelessness shelters and $235 million cut from the National Rental Affordability Scheme. Homelessness Australia says an additional $33.8 million of federal government funding is needed each year.

4.

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WHY IT MATTERS: Primary prevention programs are targeted to the community as a whole, and involve educating people about healthy relationships. This work addresses the underlying drivers of violence.

WHAT THEY GOT: Malcolm Turnbull called for a "big cultural shift" and said he wants Australia to be known as a country that respects women. He announced $5 million to add information about respectful relationships to the Safer Schools website, which is designed to change the attitudes of young people that could lead to violence. That's on top of a $30 million jointly funded educational campaign.

WHAT THEY SAY: Fair Agenda says primary prevention programs still don't have the funding they need. They've called for $2 million for early-childhood interventions and $12 million for a ten-year community education program.

5.

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WHY IT MATTERS: Men's behaviour change programs are evidence-based intervention programs for perpetrators. They're designed to stop men using violent and controlling behaviour towards women or children.

WHAT THEY GOT: $2 million increased funding for mens counselling service MensLine to support perpetrators not to reoffend.

WHAT THEY SAY: Fair Agenda says more money is needed, including funding for a national accreditation system for programs and $22.5 million to support community-based agencies to get earlier intervention with perpetrators.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.

Men can access anonymous confidential telephone counselling to help to stop using violent and controlling behaviour through the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491.