Thread by @FairAgenda

The Morrison Government has today announced $150 million to boost programs to combat domestic violence - including counseling, 1800 RESPECT, Mensline and a new communications campaign to ensure people know where they can seek help. 1/

Extra investment is desperately needed to increase the capacity of specialist services to support women's safety at this time - so this funding boost is a positive development.

BUT today's announcement is nowhere near what's needed. 2/

Experts have already told the Morrison government that even *just* for safe at home programs, $180 million is needed to meet demand.

Source: awava.org.au/2020/03/26/blo…

Today's commitment appears to be $150 million spread across at least 6 different service areas. 3/

Critically, this package also doesn't reverse the dangerous cuts to the vital service of WESNET's Safe Phones program, or the important work of the National FVPLS Forum.

(fairagenda.org/safephones) 4/

Experts have told government what is needed to help women facing abuse manage their safety in this time, and the Government have left massive gaps in what should be a safety net for women facing abuse. 5/

The Government need a plan to make sure that while they're promoting services for people to contact, all those services are funded to answer all those calls and get everyone bravely reaching out for help the assistance they need. 6/

That has to include: specialist workers who can do case management and help women experiencing abuse do safety planning; funding refuge capacity so women who can't stay safely at home have somewhere to go... 7/

... making sure women aren't trapped with an abuser without support and in danger just because of their visa status, and it needs to include a plan to ensure victim-survivors can rely on civil protection orders at this time 8/

... Plus we need them to ensure that everyone, including those facing sexual abuse in the home they need to can access the reproductive healthcare they need during this time.

More must be done. And we all need to demand better for the women at risk at this time. 9/

To fight for better, get involved in these campaigns to ensure the services women rely on to be safe in their home are properly funded:
fairagenda.org/familyviolence…
And to stop these incredibly dangerous cuts to the safe phone program
fairagenda.org/safephones
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