Government announces $3M package to support survivors of domestic and family violence

We welcome the announcement, but we ask the government to consider allocating more funding to services supporting young people escaping domestic and family violence.
Male youth worker welcoming a teenage girl to a refuge

Joint statement from Youth Off The Streets, Yfoundations and Domestic Violence NSW on government funding for youth services.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES $3MILLION PACKAGE TO SUPPORT DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE VICTIMS

The Federal Government on Monday July 2020 has announced a $3 million package to provide more counselling and support services for women and their children who have experienced domestic and family violence.

The package will be delivered to 23 service providers across every state and territory, with 93 locations nationwide. According to government figures, about 6,000 people use these services and the extra funding could support 2,000 more women and children.

Today, Youth Off The Streets, Yfoundations and Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW) are urging the Federal Government to also consider young people who no longer feel safe at home due to domestic and family violence or are suffering the long term impact of experiencing and witnessing violence at home.

Youth Off The Streets CEO, Lex Lutherborrow, says she welcomes the announcement but there must be consideration made for new funding to be allocated to services supporting young people escaping domestic and family violence.

“Between March and June 2020, our Inner West Youth Homeless Services (IWYHS) intake line received 106 referrals of young people requiring support due to domestic and family violence-related issues.”

“Domestic and family violence is one of the leading causes of youth homelessness in Australia and we urge the Federal Government to allocate new funding to youth services to support the growing number of vulnerable young people turning to us because it is no longer safe to go home.”

Yfoundations CEO, Pam Barker says this funding is welcomed, however funding must be invested in our children and young people escaping domestic violence. Young people often flee situations and end up in youth homelessness services needing support.

The government must consider the role youth homelessness services play in the intervention and recovery for those young people escaping domestic and family violence.

Domestic Violence NSW CEO, Delia Donovan, said, “Funding needs to consider children and young people escaping domestic and family violence in order to ensure they go onto live safe and healthy lives.”

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