The federal government has taken steps to bolster financial aid for domestic violence victims in Australia. Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth has released a report highlighting the equity gaps in the system and the need for further improvements.
The report focuses on the escaping violence payment, which was introduced in October 2021. It reveals that as of May, the payment had supported almost 19,000 people, providing over $89 million in support. The average assistance provided, including cash, goods, and services, amounted to $4224. Notably, 89 percent of the recipients were women.
While progress has been made in reducing the time gap between confirming the eligibility of a victim-survivor and the receipt of the first cash payment, there are still challenges in ensuring equitable access to the program. The report emphasizes the need to address the barriers faced by people in remote areas, older individuals, LGBTQI community members, and Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
To address these issues, the federal government has allocated an additional $38.6 million in the 2022/23 budget to increase service delivery resourcing for the service provider and lead agency. The budget also includes $38.2 million to expand the number of support packages available.
Minister Rishworth acknowledges the previous backlog and long wait times for processing escaping violence payment claims, describing them as unacceptable. With the changes implemented, she expects more individuals to receive timely support and emphasizes that women and children should not be forced to remain in unsafe situations due to financial barriers.
The report further emphasizes the prevalence of violence against women and children in Australia. Shockingly, one in two women has experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime, and one in three has experienced violence by a partner, known person, or a stranger since the age of 15. This violence remains a leading cause of homelessness for women and children.
Overall, while progress has been made in providing financial aid to domestic violence victims, there is still work to be done to ensure equitable access to support services. The federal government’s increased funding aims to address the existing gaps and improve the system, allowing more individuals to escape violence and rebuild their lives.
