By Chelsea Gibbs and Grace Windsor
Key Points
- Scott Morrison announces new funding of $3 million dollars for domestic violence victims.
- 1 in 10 Australian women have been a victim to domestic violence during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Social Services Minister states government funding could support an additional 2000 more women and children.
Scott Morrison recently announced on Monday a $3 million dollar package for women and children who are experiencing domesticated violence during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Prior to this additional funding the Morrison government launched a parliamentary inquiry into the rise of domestic violence, which showed the dramatic impact of Covid-19 resulting in the initial $150 million domestic violence emergency response package. With the threat of a second wave will this funding be enough to support these affected women and children and potential new victims?
Almost 1 in 10 Australian women have experienced domestic violence, and in the first outbreak of Covid-19 two-thirds stated it become of harsher effect and more recurring. Devastating statistics within the period of February to May also showed a rise of 33% in new victims during the pandemic.
“High rates of physical, sexual and emotional abuse”
AIC Deputy Director
AIC Deputy Director Rick Brown stated that “the women we surveyed have experienced very high rates of physical, sexual and emotional abuse during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, and many have been unable to seek help.”
The new package of 3 million dollars will be delivered to ’23 service providers across every state and territory, with 93 locations nationwide. About 6000 people use these services already and the extra funding could support 2000 more women and children. With this is will enable easier access to counselling and support services’.
With the outbreak in Melbourne and recent rising numbers in Sydney suburbs, this has raised the question to whether this package will sustain victims throughout a potential second lockdown, with queries if domestic violence numbers will again rise from the first outbreak statistics.
Social Services Minister Anne Ruston places emphasis on how they wish to avoid this stating “No matter the crisis, there’s still no place for domestic violence or abuse. Our priority is ensuring that when people who are experiencing family and domestic violence reach out for support, they are able to access it as quickly as possible”.
With this an additional funding in conjunction with the $3 million dollars as of Monday will also support lower income holders who won’t be able access this support more easily, supplying them with a further $750 dollar. With this the government has also released a site which includes support places located within each state.
Quotes sourced from Sunday Morning Herald –https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/domestic-violence-on-the-rise-during-pandemic-20200712-p55b8q.html?fbclid=IwAR3DvzrgWlTqB_E_iTAb55ptqVnwoLw_ey8W5O7XxhlEq35jU5wzTFWjK2c