Children and adults who have experienced sexual assault will have better access to support services, with a $1.35 million funding boost that will reduce waiting lists across Victoria’s Centres Against Sexual Assault.
Visiting the Royal Children’s Hospital Gatehouse Service today, Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos said a priority of the funding is addressing the waitlist of children and young people.
The funding will be provided to 17 sexual assault support service providers across Victoria and will deliver services to an extra 815 children, young people and adults.
The funding is part of the Andrews Labor Government’s $16 million Family Violence Fund, established to respond to increased demand for services as a result of the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
Sexual assault support services provide crisis care responses, counselling, casework, group-work, advocacy and a statewide after-hours telephone crisis service for children, young people and adults who have experienced recent or past sexual assault.
Agencies also provide community awareness, education and professional consultation services that work towards the prevention and early identification of sexual assault.
In its first budget the Labor Government announced an $81.3 million package to boost family violence services, including the establishment of Australia’s first Royal Commission into Family Violence.
The Royal Commission is due to hand down its findings in March 2016.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos
“We are working to reduce waiting lists for Victorians who have suffered the terrible impacts of sexual assault so they get the timely access to support and appropriate counseling that they need.”
“This vital funding boost will help clear the waiting lists for children and young people to ensure they can access services as soon as possible.”
“The CASAs in Victoria offer invaluable support to Victorians in times of terrible trauma - we are committed to helping them continue this work in communities across Victoria.”
“We are helping address the scourge of sexual assault and family violence which impacts on too many Victorians.”
Quotes attributed to Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Fiona Richardson
“Providing tailored support for those impacted by sexual assault is critical in helping to overcome the trauma associated with this harm.”
“Our government is working to ensure that Victoria has a system of best practice and that support is provided for those who require it.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020