The Andrews Labor Government is delivering on its promised Support and Safety Hubs, giving survivors of family violence access to crucial support.
Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams, today announced that the Victorian Budget 2017/18 confirms the Southern Melbourne Region will share in $448.1 million to establish one of the 17 Support and Safety Hubs across the state. The new Hub will service the Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia local government areas.
The Hubs, which were a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence, will put the safety of women and children first.
They will serve as a visible contact point for victim survivors and give local communities access to highly skilled workers with connections to the justice system and social services, including housing.
The first Hubs will be launched in the Barwon, Bayside Peninsula, Inner Gippsland, Mallee and North-East Melbourne DHHS regions later this year, with the others rolled out in subsequent years.
The Government has also announced the establishment of Family Safety Victoria which will coordinate the delivery of the family violence reforms, including the Support and Safety Hubs. The Agency will commence on 1 July and will lead work with local communities to confirm the location of the first five Hubs.
The Budget also invests $95.4 million in Victoria’s social services and justice workforces to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge to better target family violence.
This funding will establish a Centre for Workplace Excellence and see the roll out of a plan to improve workforce capability and training.