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Domestic
violence services still need to fight for the safety of victims of
spousal violence.
Co-author
of the report "Women’s Refuges, Shelters, Outreach and
Support Services in Australia: from Sydney Squat to complex services
challenging domestic and family violence" Julie Oberin, said
the research shows there continues to be an urgent need for
improvements in the availability of services responding to the issue
of domestic and family violence. “This research shows that there
is a persistently high number of women, many with accompanying
children seeking the safety and security of SAAP funded refuges and
domestic violence services. Too many are turned away because of the
lack of appropriate safe places”.
The
release of the long awaited WESNET research project was welcomed by
the Domestic Violence Service Sector. Giving
an Australian wide overview of the diverse nature of the service
sector that responds to the needs of women and children victims, the
PADV funded report highlights the barriers and issues that face
governments, policy makers and services who struggle to meet the need.
“Domestic
Violence Service workers who participated in this research have long
been waiting to access this report”, said Pauline Woodbridge,
National Chair of the Domestic and
Family
Violence
Peak
body, WESNET. Ms
Woodbridge said, “Often there are gaps between the government and
policy rhetoric and the reality at the grass roots level. This report
will be a great source of information about the reality for the
victims of violence and those who provide the services and support”.
“We
are in the less than desirable position of women and children being
accommodated in motels and hotels because the current levels of
funding do not allow for expansion to meet the demand” said
Terri Francis, the Tasmanian WESNET representative, “How safe and
effective is that?”
Ms
Schulte, the
Northern Territory
representative said “Access to a safe refuge is unlikely in
Australia
’s rural areas and even less likely for those in need who live in
remote communities; the prevalence of violence is higher, the injuries
more severe and the impact of violence affects whole communities in
negative ways. Much more needs to be done”.
The
research followed up on 71 relevant recommendations from previous PADV
(Partnerships against Domestic Violence) reports published between
1998 and 2000 to gauge the progress of the recommendations.
In
developing 21 recommendations of its own, the report reiterates the
relevant and important work that still needs attention.
For
media comment please contact:
Pauline Woodbridge, National Chairperson, 0419
739 774
Julie Oberin¸Victorian Representative, 0419 539 346
Maxene Schulte, NT proxy Representative, 0407 431 344
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