The Andrews Labor Government is strengthening support for sexual assault survivors to ensure their needs are met and their voices heard.
Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos today announced an additional $417,000 to support victim-survivors of sexual assault.
It includes more than $270,000 for sexual assault service CASA House to recruit more staff. CASA House is a department of the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne and provides crisis care around the clock as well as counselling, support groups and community and professional education.
The new staff will be accommodated at outpost locations as well as metropolitan Melbourne.
More than $146,000 will help support survivors with a disability through the South East Centre of Sexual Assault and Family Violence.
The $417,000 funding comes on top of an additional $175,000 that was announced in December to support victim-survivors in the wake of the release of Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse report.
Funding for these services will support adults, young people and children who have experienced sexual assault, as well as their non-offending family members and support people.
The latest funding boost brings the Labor Government’s support for Victorian sexual assault services to more than $26 million this year, an increase of $4.9 million or 20 per cent since 2014.
Anyone impacted by sexual assault can access information on specialist support services at .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos
“I hope this additional support gives some comfort and assistance to survivors on their journey of healing – we don’t want them braving it alone.”
“We stand with victim-survivors and ensuring services are well resourced to provide assistance, wherever and whenever it’s needed.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Natalie Hutchins
“We want a Victoria that’s free from family violence, where every person feels safe where they live, work or play – this funding helps us move towards that.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020