Services to keep women and children safe from family violence will get a boost thanks to a two-year funding package for women’s health services across Victoria.

The State Member for Northcote, Kat Theophanous joined Women’s Health in the North (WHIN) CEO, Helen Riseborough, to announce that WHIN is one 12 women’s health services in Victoria to receive a share of $3 million over the next two years to continue their work in preventing family violence.

WHIN will receive a $250,000 share of the funds to meet the increased demand driven by the coronavirus pandemic. This includes adapting their services to a digital setting, continuing to deliver prevention of family violence training, and providing advice and support to organisations in the north.

Of the $3 million investment, $600,000 comes the Government’s recent $59.4 million mental health package to help meet demand as Victorians reach out for help with stress and isolation during coronavirus.

And comes on top of the $40.2 million package for crisis accommodation and specialist services for people suffering or at risk of family violence.

Times of crisis cause enormous emotional, social and financial stress, and research shows this can compound the gendered drivers of violence and exacerbate the conditions that lead to violence.

The Andrews Labor Government established Australia’s first ever Royal Commission into Family Violence and has invested $2.9 billion implementing each and every one of its 227 recommendations.

Significant progress has already been made with 154 recommendations already implemented and the remaining all underway.

Today’s announced funding forms part of the Building from Strength, a 10-Year Industry Plan for Family Violence Prevention and Response.

Quotes attributable to Member for Northcote, Kat Theophanous

“We know that violence against women and children is an assertion of control, and in times of crisis perpetrators of violence react to that control being lost.

“Services to keep Women and Children safe become even more important – that’s why the Government has acted.  That’s why this funding boost and the work of WHIN is so vital.”

Quotes attributable to WHIN CEO, Helen Riseborough

“‘WHIN welcomes the Victorian government’s boost to our funding to continue the 27 years years of work dedicated to women’s health, safety and well-being and acknowledges our local member Kat Theophanous’ support of our organisation.’

‘At times of crisis gender inequities are reinforced and magnified, so our role in preventing violence against women and children is more critical than ever’