The Andrews Labor Government is rolling out a vital program across Victoria to protect the women and children at the highest risk of family violence.
Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos was today joined by Member for Geelong, Christine Couzens at Bethany Community Support to launch high-impact Risk Assessment and Management Panels (RAMPs), which will operate in 18 locations across Victoria.
RAMPs bring together professionals from specialist women’s family violence services, Victoria Police, Corrections Victoria, housing, mental health, alcohol and drug services, men’s family violence services, Child FIRST and child protection.
These local experts share critical information about specific cases of women and their children at serious and imminent threat from family violence and develop co-ordinated action plans to protect them. Every RAMP member has had specialist training in recent weeks, with each panel to consider its first cases this month.
The implementation of RAMPs was a recommendation of both the Coronial Inquest into the death of Luke Batty and the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
The Labor Government has provided almost $9 million over four years to specialist family violence agencies to fund 18 RAMP coordinators and flexible brokerage funding.
Ms Mikakos also announced a further $150,000 for Domestic Violence Victoria to continue its state-wide coordinating role across the RAMPs.
This program is funded on top of the Labor Government’s $572 million response to the Royal Commission’s recommendations.
Quote attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos
“RAMPs save lives. When agencies come together to share vital information, women and children at serious risk of family violence do not fall through the cracks. That’s why we are rolling them out across the state.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Fiona Richardson
“The rollout of RAMPs across Victoria is an important step in the Andrews Labor Government’s implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations.”
Quote attributable to the Member for Geelong Christine Couzens
“Women and children in Geelong at serious risk of family violence will be safer thanks to the Barwon RAMP.”
Quote attributable to Domestic Violence Victoria CEO Fiona McCormack
“This is a really important investment into the safety of women and children at imminent risk and another example of the Victorian Government’s commitment to tackle family violence.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020