Sexual assault services are celebrating a $375,000 windfall to help more children and adults in the west access counselling and support.
State Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos will announce today that the Footscray-based Western Regional Centre Against Sexual Assault (WestCASA), the Royal Women’s Hospital Centre Against Sexual Assault and the Royal Children’s Hospital will each receive up to $125,000 for extra staff to support victims and address trauma caused by sexual abuse.
The funding follows a doubling of sexual offences reported to police in Hobsons Bay in the year to March – from 85 to 167 – and a rise from 115 to 129 in Maribyrnong.
WestCASA chief executive Jane Vanderstoel told Star Weekly the money would help the service cut its lengthy waiting list.
“We have had a real rise in demand,” she said. “We’ve had double the number of people looking for our services in the past six to eight weeks. The current waiting list is about five months. I’d hope an extra person would bring that down.”
Ms Vanderstoel said a range of factors, including the Royal Commission on Institutional Childhood Sexual Abuse, seemed to have encouraged more people to speak out.
While more people coming forward has been welcomed, it also places extra pressure on already-strained services.
“I think it’s really disappointing for people when they have the courage to call us and we have to ask them to wait,” she said.
“The downside of this funding is that it’s for only 12 months.
“We hope that after the royal commission into family violence there will be ongoing funding.”
Ms Mikakos said the new funding was part of a $81.3 million package to boost family violence services.
“Counselling services are an important part of addressing the trauma inflicted by shocking abuse,” she said.
“We know how difficult it can be for victims of child sexual abuse to come forward for help. This funding aims to give people the support they need, when they need it.”
For more information or counselling, call WestCASA on 9687 5811.
