Council funds family violence support for our community
Published on 10 September 2021
Frankston City Council is funding ongoing resourcing and supports to help people experiencing family violence in the area.
Recent funding includes $152,000 in additional support for family violence prevention, as well as funding for a dedicated family violence resource at the Peninsula Community Legal Centre (PCLC).
South Ward Cr Claire Harvey said: “It is becoming increasingly obvious the issue of family violence needs an ‘all hands on deck’ approach. This is not something that should stay behind closed doors — it is everyone’s problem to solve and we are playing our part.
“Council is dedicated to not only putting our own resources behind this issue but to also supporting established family violence organisations, who often operate with limited budgets and staff,” Cr Harvey said.
Council approved additional funding in December last year to provide a dedicated family violence lawyer three days a week at PCLC, as well as a new tenancy resource.
Peninsula Community Legal Centre CEO, Jackie Galloway, said: “Having a dedicated family violence lawyer as an additional resource at PCLC has enhanced our capacity to provide timely expert advice and case work services to residents experiencing family violence.”
Ms Galloway added: “The addition of a tenancy worker to our existing tenancy program has also meant we can tailor our support to Frankston City residents, with a focus on tenants in financial hardship facing eviction and tenants wanting to know their options if living with a violent partner.
“The funding has supported Frankston residents to sustain their tenancies and undeniably helped to prevent homelessness.
“We are deeply appreciative of the financial support Council has provided, in what is a very high needs area. The safety and welfare of victims, including children is paramount and the funding has meant faster access to support for families who often can’t afford to wait,” Ms Galloway said.
Council also provided $51,913 across eight community support programs last year, as part of its $9.12 million COVID Relief and Recovery Package. This included:
- Living Free Foundation
- Mum’s Supporting Families in Need
- Local 2 Community
- Whitelion
- The Babes Project
- Groomed To Go
- Respecting Seniors Network
- LifeGate
Council has continued to provide significant support via its COVID Recovery Package, to help our community through the pandemic. Family violence support is to be an ongoing annual budget item.
In 2021–2022, Council provided a further $100,000 to fund an internal family violence prevention resource, to assist with implementation of an annual action plan, as well as the rollout of various education campaigns.
Cr Harvey said: “I believe Council can make the most impact by focusing our efforts on education, whether that’s an awareness campaign, linking people in with available external resources and supports or finding new ways to engage people on the topic.
“For example, Council’s Men as Role Models (MARM) program, in conjunction with Whitelion and Jesuit Social Services, seeks to reverse historical trends of family violence with prevention and early intervention. MARM promotes gender equality, healthy masculinities, skill development and social connection through a community-based mentoring program for young men,” Cr Harvey said.
Other family violence and gender equity initiatives include redevelopment of Council’s ‘Choose Respect’ program for young people and ongoing participation in the annual 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence and International Women’s Day events.
Cr Harvey said Council will review its Family Violence Prevention Action Plan in 2022, at which time community feedback will be sought.
“The plan provides an important roadmap for Council’s approach to improving family violence prevention,” Cr Harvey said.
If you or a loved one needs support, please contact:
The Orange Door
1800 319 353
bpa@orangedoor.vic.gov.au
Men’s Referral Service
Support for men at risk of using family violence
1300 766 491
mrs.org.au
Safe Steps 24 hour first point of contact service
1800 015 288
safesteps.org.au
National Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence hotline
1800RESPECT
1800respect.org.au
Peninsula Community Legal Centre
9783 3600 or 1800 064 784
pclc.org.au
If you are concerned for your safety or that of someone else, please contact the police or phone 000 for emergency assistance.