Mary Leaker’s Post

Calls for funding to take action on domestic violence in GWS   The Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue is calling on the NSW Government to boost funding for domestic violence refuges by $54 million a year, with a specific focus on Greater Western Sydney.   Dialogue CEO Adam Leto spoke to the Guardian Australia ahead of the NSW Budget, highlighting that more than two thirds of Greater Sydney’s DV-related homicides, assaults and sexual assaults were in GWS in 2023.   “This data shows we can’t address the domestic and family violence crisis in NSW without targeted investment in Western Sydney,” Mr Leto said.   “It’s not just a Western Sydney problem … but we can’t lose sight of the fact that it is occurring in the region”.   As well as boosting funding for DV refuges, the Dialogue is encouraging the government to commit funding for innovative crisis accommodation including modular housing, and unused commercial motels or nursing homes in Western Sydney to provide more housing for those fleeing domestic and family violence in our region.   Read the full story ➡ https://shorturl.at/1Kyr3

Last week the Queensland Government launched an Australian-first strategy that places greater emphasis on responding to people who use domestic and family violence. NTV provided input into the development of the strategy and our CEO Phillip Ripper was quoted in the Government’s statement (see link below).   Broadening the Focus: Queensland’s strategy to strengthen responses to people who use domestic and family violence 2024 to 2028 (Broadening the Focus) is a pivotal strategy that builds on the significant progress that has been made in tracking DFV. It focuses on strengthening and improving whole-of-system and community responses, to actively hold people using violence responsible for their harmful attitudes and behaviours, and support them to change. As Phillip said in the release: “The Queensland Government is leading the nation when it comes to focusing on men to end their use of family violence.” “We will never end family violence in Queensland until we focus on changing the behaviour of people who use violence.” https://lnkd.in/gJffw5c9 Queensland Government Steven Miles Amie Carrington

Help us advocate for domestic and family violence support! The escalating rates of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) in our region are genuinely frightening and you can help us advocate for change and funding support. Please help us by emailing your local State Member of Parliament to ask them to support the Hunter DV Consortium’s two key Budget priorities: 1) To implement ALL of the priorities the Hunter Domestic and Family Violence Consortium outlined in their pre-budget submission to better support DFV specialist services, increase access to safe accommodation, and ensure a coordinated collaborative response to DFV in the Hunter region. 2) Increase funds for Men’s Behaviour Change Programs, and men’s early intervention and prevention services and programs in the Hunter. You only need to email the MP who represents your electorate and you can find your MP contact here: https://lnkd.in/gJ66NTeK The Budget is being finalised now so please act now and lend your voice to this critical social issue.

While it’s a welcome relief today’s Victorian Budget did not include anticipated cuts, short-term, piecemeal funding does not provide ongoing security for frontline family violence services.   What we need now is bold, enduring action.   There is no quick fix to end family and gender-based violence. This is a national crisis that requires a sustained commitment from all levels of government – because without it, we will continue to see more tragic and preventable deaths.   Read our full statement here: https://lnkd.in/eCMRF9Yn

As we eagerly await further announcements from the Premier to address family and gender-based violence in Victoria, we’re continuing to connect with colleagues across multiple sectors to share what we hope will be included in the ‘Premier’s Package.’ Centre Against Violence (CAV), a specialist family violence and sexual assault service in the Ovens Murray region of Victoria, is calling on the government to:    𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴) 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹/𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀. “We are making a desperate call for men to do better, to change their behaviour, and to improve their relationships - yet in many regional areas, there is next to nothing in terms of support when they do reach out for help,” says CAV CEO Jaime Chubb.    “If programs do exist, they are dripping in stigma, the wait lists are long, and the programs are under-funded and under-resourced. This just continues the cycle of violence and places all responsibility for keeping safe and navigating the service system on the victim survivors. It perpetuates the cycle of crisis and violence.”    We have come so far – but we cannot afford to slow down. 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀, across Victoria and the entire nation.  But we need to remember that it is preventable. The Victorian Government has promised us more, and we are hopeful it will include meaningful, long-term investment and support – because that’s the only way we are going to end family and gender-based violence in Victoria. #Budget2024 

Tackling domestic abuse and protecting victims and survivors is an absolute priority for MOPAC and the Mayor of London. Our joint programme of safe accommodation, in partnership with the Mayor’s Housing team, has helped thousands of women and children since 2021 to access support in safe spaces. Today, as we look to extend this support in the coming years, we have launched a new draft Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation (DASA) Strategy for consultation and we invite you to take a look and share your views. Three years on from the first ever DASA Strategy published by the Mayor in 2021, today’s refreshed draft strategy is published alongside an updated needs assessment for the provision of safe accommodation in London. Since the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 was passed, DASA funding has helped more than 23,500 domestic abuse survivors and their children access support in safe accommodation in the capital. Further grant funding has improved the quality of existing safe accommodation. Plus, the DASA Homes Programme is progressing a new supply of specialist homes for domestic abuse survivors across the city. Read more about the strategy and consultation here https://lnkd.in/ewC56ZiY.

Bill Alert! US House Bill HR 5762 - National Domestic Violence Prevention Action Plan Act of 2021 Policy: Health Status: Bill Introduced Full Details: https://lnkd.in/eUsRj_eX Bill 117 HR 5762, also known as the National Domestic Violence Prevention Action Plan Act of 2021, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of addressing and preventing domestic violence in the country. The bill outlines a comprehensive action plan to combat domestic violence, including provisions for increased funding for domestic violence prevention programs, support for victims of domestic violence, and the implemen...

Today is the beginning of the United Nation's UNiTE campaign: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Every year, from November 25 to December 10, organizations around the world raise awareness and mobilize action to end all forms of violence against women and girls. The Government of Canada's theme for 2024 is Come Together, Act Now. It is a call to action urging us to recognize the signs of gender-based violence. To this end, we at the Centre for Community Based Research want our Action today to be a reminder: 🗣️ Bill 173 has not yet reached Royal Assent. This Bill enacts the Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act 2024. This Act requires the Government of Ontario to recognize that intimate partner violence is an epidemic in Ontario, which would increase funding, research and resources to support the cessation of intimate partner violence. If you wish to write a letter to your MPP in support of this Bill, visit this site to fill in a form and have your voice heard! #16daysofAction #UNiTEcampaign #endviolenceagainstwomen #violenceagainstwomen

While we welcome the Queensland Government’s commitment to addressing domestic and family violence with a 20% increase in funding. And we commend the Australian Government’s commitment to permanently establish the Leaving Violence Program. These commitments are simply not enough. Every day, services like ours are struggling to meet demand and are turning away people who need support. Our politicians need to engage with and listen to the sector. We need increased funding for specialist services, more funding for men’s behaviour change programs, and investment in prevention strategies. It’s time for action. #enddv 

NEYIF CONDEMNS KILLINGS IN DAMATURU, CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION BY AUTHORITIES AND STAKEHOLDERS The North East Youth Initiative For Development (NEYIF) has strongly condemned the recent killing in Nayi-nawa, Damaturu Local Government, Yobe State of a person by an unscrupulous criminal leading to his instant death. NEYIF while commiserating with the family of the victim called on the security authorities to intensify additional effort in addressing this unnecessary killing that's increasing recently especially in the Damaturu metropolitan. You may recall that a few days ago, a similar incident occurred leading to the death of a promising, devoted and upright young man who served as a breadwinner for his family. The fact that this is coming just weeks after the first incident is a call for concern and action by both government, security and community structures. As an organization working to promote peace and development, we are committed to providing necessary support within our capacity to compliment the continuous effort of stakeholders at different levels. Such an incident has been time without number and nothing has been done to intervene effectively. It is based on this therefore, that we called on the State Government, Damaturu Local Government, Damaturu Emirate Council, Security Agencies; Police and NSCDC and other relevant stakeholders to not just enforce preventive measures to stop further of such incidence but to equally ensure all suspected individuals associated with these killings are brought to book for justice to play. This will not only serve as a deterring measure but will also build citizens resilience, confidence and respect for the rule of law. It is very pertinent at this point that we also called on government to tackle the activities of the so called ‘Marlians’ group and their ally who did not only stop in attacking people but also vandalizing properties, harassing and instilling fear in people causing unnecessary disruption to the relative peace the society is enjoying. For parents and community members, it is equally important to report any suspicions and behaviors to the immediate and relevant establishments for our safety and security. Addressing this trend of killing before it escalates is a collective responsibility of us all. Let’s all pour our hands together to play us in pain for the peace and development of our society. Thank you. Dauda Gombe Muhammad The Executive Director, North East Youth Initiative For Development(NEYIF)