Premier Roger Cook this week announced an $86 million funding package for programs that keep victim-survivors safe and hold perpetrators to account, bringing the WA Government’s total new investment to $564.4 million over the past seven years.
“From significant law reforms, to expanded crisis services, investments in prevention programs and the delivery of recovery services, my government is playing its part when it comes to addressing family and domestic violence,” Premier Roger Cook said.
$86 million to keep victim-survivors safe
“The $86 million announced today will build on this important work to end the evil and unacceptable scourge of family and domestic violence,” Cook said.
This includes an additional boost of almost $19 million for refuge service providers to continue their critical work in supporting victim-survivors, including those with complex needs. The investment means every refuge organisation in the state will receive an uplift in funding.
Assisting children impacted by family and domestic violence
It builds on the $18.3 million investment in the 2023-24 State Budget, bringing total annual investment in refuges in 2024-25 to $48.2 million. In addition, $8.2 million has been committed to design and pilot a range of therapeutic services to assist children and young people impacted by family and domestic violence.
“We know in many domestic violence incidents children are not just witnesses but victims in their own right. I have met several adult victim-survivors who recall staying in the same refuge many years earlier as a child with their own mother,” Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton.
“Making sure children get the therapeutic supports they need to recover is critical in helping to break the cycle of violence,” Winton said.
16 Days in WA
The funding package was announced during the 16 Days in WA campaign, which encourages everyone in the community to play their part to end family and domestic violence in WA.
This delivers on a key ask from the Family and Domestic Violence Summit held in August last year and aligns with the System Reform Plan, which was developed by the historic Family and Domestic Violence Taskforce.
Other initiatives funded as part of today’s announcement include $41.5 million to implement the Family Violence Legislation Reform Act 2024, including funding for additional police resources and Department of Justice staff to expand electronic monitoring of FDV offenders and support victim-survivors.
$11 million to boost FDV treatment programs to reflect current referral rates, holding perpetrators to account and changing behaviour, and $2.9 million to extend the family violence restraining order shuttle conferencing program, supporting victim-survivors engaging in the court process.