Federal Budget right to focus on women's safety

The Salvation Army, which operates family and domestic violence services across Australia, welcomes the announcements in the federal budget of significant investment in preventing and addressing family violence.

These investments, including $5000 packages to assist people leaving domestic abuse situations, will help ensure that experiencing family violence does not mean long term poverty for victim survivors.

Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Lyn Edge says, “We know family violence is a leading cause of homelessness. An immediate package of funding to ensure that victim-survivors can meet their housing needs during the critical and dangerous time after leaving an abusive relationship will make a huge impact.

“Being able to post a rental bond to secure private accommodation and purchase replacement personal and household items will help people maintain housing and employment.”

The Salvation Army’s experience with victim-survivors of family violence across the country is that there are many barriers to a person leaving an abusive situation.
Lt. Col. Lyn Edge says, “Leaving an abusive situation is a complex and dangerous process. A lack of money is by no means the only barrier to a person leaving but it is often a factor. A lack of money can also make staying out of the abusive situation harder.”

“For people escaping family violence this initiative can be the difference between facing homelessness and knowing you will be able to afford a rental bond. It can be the difference between worrying about how you will feed your children and being confident that you can make it through. For some women, this is going to be the difference between staying and leaving.”

Salvation Army Family and Domestic Violence services operate across Australia. Under a national model of care, The Salvation Army provides FDV services that encompass prevention, early intervention and response. These services include accommodation for victim survivors, including children.