YWCA Canberra welcomes the reinstatement of the Safer Families Assistance payment.
For the second year in a row, this funding was exhausted within 6 months of commencement, leaving people who were leaving violence without a critical $2000 safety net.
Along with other frontline sector services, YWCA Canberra advocated to the Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, Dr Marisa Paterson to urgently boost funding ensuring victim-survivors and frontline services aren’t left without critical support. We also worked with Members of the Legislative Assembly to bring this situation to light and call for the funding to be reinstated.
“We are thrilled that the Minister has listened to the sector and taken action to reinstate this important safety net for people leaving violence” stated YWCA Canberra CEO Frances Crimmins.
“It was distressing for clients to be told that this funding, which they thought would be available had sadly been depleted prior to them picking up the phone and asking for help. And it was extremely distressing for an already exhausted and burnt-out sector” – YWCA Canberra CEO Frances Crimmins
In 2024 YWCA Canberra’s Domestic Violence Support Service received 340 new incoming referrals, a distinct increase in comparison to 261 referrals in 2023.
Data from our service shows an undeniable need for a substantial funding increase to the Safer Families Assistance payment—far beyond the standard annual indexation.
“While we are grateful the funding has been reinstated, it should not have happened in the first place – particularly when demand was increasing. We need the forthcoming ACT Budget to substantially increase the funding for this program, to prevent this unfortunate situation from happening again”.
– YWCA Canberra CEO Frances Crimmins
For more information, please contact:
Eleanor Sander O’Hearn
Executive Director Communications Advocacy Engagement
Eleanor.sanderohearn@ywca-canberra.org.au
0475 240 101