By Benjamin Millar
A Footscray-based women’s health service has welcomed details of the state government’s royal commission into family violence.
Family violence reports to Women’s Health West (WHW) – which provides support in the majority of family violence incidents across the western suburbs – were up 54 per cent last year. Yet funding rose only two per cent.
WHW chief executive Robyn Gregory told
Star Weekly that with 6209 reports in the past financial year her team was struggling to keep up.
“This is the most severe spike in demand we’ve seen in the 20 years we’ve provided family violence services in the western region,” Dr Gregory said.
Premier Daniel Andrews last week released the proposed terms of reference for a royal commission into the state’s most common form of violence against women and the leading cause of death and disability in Victorian women under 45.
From next month, royal commission chairwoman Justice Marcia Neave will be tasked with finding ways to prevent family violence, improve early intervention, better support victims and bring perpetrators to account.
The royal commission has been sparked by an 83 per cent rise in family violence incidents reported to Victoria Police between 2009-10 and 2013-14 to 65,393 incidents – one-third of all police work and a $3 billion hit to the economy. Mr Andrews said the family violence “national emergency” was Victoria’s top law and order issue.
“We need a system that protects the vulnerable, punishes the guilty and saves lives,” he said.
“The royal commission will give us the answers we need and nothing will be off limits.”
Prevention of Family Violence Minister Fiona Richardson said the situation must be made better. “This royal commission will change lives and attitudes,” she said. “It will shine a light on the problem and help victims and survivors of family violence to take a powerful step.”
Victorian Council of Social Service chief executive Emma King said the broad range of issues contained in the terms of reference was a good starting point for the inquiry.
“It’s important to hear the voices of people with lived experience of family violence,” she said. “But survivors who choose to tell their story will need access to support and advice throughout the royal commission process.”
Opposition spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said there was also a need to ensure action to protect families was not delayed.
