Women’s Refuge welcomes Government Family and Sexual Violence Work Programme

30 July 2015

The National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges welcomes the announcement of the government family and sexual violence work programme. “I am excited to see this commitment to action from the government and look forward to working alongside government to realise the outcomes identified,” says Women’s Refuge Chief Executive Dr Ang Jury.

“Women’s Refuge agrees that a 'planned' response to the issue of violence within families is preferable to the current system and we hope to be a part of this,” says Dr Jury.

“We are especially pleased to see the range of government ministers brought together and committed to working collaboratively on this work programme. We look forward to seeing details of the action plan going forward.”

Dr Jury said Women’s Refuge was not surprised by the disestablishment of the Taskforce on Family Violence, but is saddened by this. “The removal of the Taskforce dissolves the only formal mechanism that included the non-government sector in oversight of work around family and sexual violence,” she says. “However I am somewhat reassured by comment within the Cabinet paper of a new agreed approach to community engagement and look forward to further details of this.”

Dr Jury also commented on Cabinet paper findings that only a small proportion of total spending is directed to specialist family violence and sexual violence services. “This is a serious issue. Women’s Refuge welcomes further investment in specialist services to women who are victims of family and sexual violence. It really goes without saying that better investment for these clients will lead to better outcomes for children as well.

“I am thrilled to see that advice is pending around an investment strategy and an action plan for family violence. Some of the proposed changes could impact directly on organisations such as Refuge and in this regard we look forward to working closely with officials in the future.”

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