Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten has called for a bipartisan approach to tackle family violence.
Mr Shorten joined 20 leading family violence advocates and community organisations for a roundtable discussion in Footscray last Friday.
As reported by Star Weekly on June 30, reports to Women’s Health West – which provides support in the majority of family violence incidents across the western suburbs – were up 54 per cent in the past 12 months, while funding increased by 2 per cent.
Chief executive Robyn Gregory said thousands of family violence victims could be stuck in life-threatening situations because $30 million in promised funding had yet to be delivered by the state government.
Women’s Health West receives funding from federal and state governments, but the allocation of funding is the state’s responsibility.
“Family violence services desperately need additional funds to keep women and children safe,” Dr Gregory said.
Mr Shorten called for urgent action to address a family violence crisis.
“It’s a national disgrace that more than one woman a day across Australia is murdered by somebody who claims to love them,” he said.
“It demands a determined and national bipartisan approach, including a greater focus on prevention.’’
If you are in immediate danger, call police on triple-0. To escape family violence, phone Women’s Health West on 9689 588 or the Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service on 1800 015 188.
