State budget cuts mean thousands of victim survivors to miss out on family violence support

Nearly $50 million in funding for Victoria’s specialist family violence sector is due to be cut next year, despite services experiencing higher levels of demand than ever before. 

In its 2024-25 State Budget Submission, Safe and Equal is calling for the Victorian Government to continue this funding as a priority, alongside increased investment for safe and affordable housing and primary prevention initiatives to stop violence before it starts. 

Funding scheduled to lapse in June 2024 includes $25.4 million for specialist family violence accommodation services, as well as $18.8 million for family violence case management. 

Safe and Equal CEO Tania Farha says the loss of this funding will further reduce the amount of support available to people experiencing family violence, and poses a significant threat to the safety and wellbeing of victim survivors across the state. 

“Any reduction in funding will have very real impacts on how many victim survivors can access critical support each year,” said Ms Farha. 

“We estimate around 4,000 adults experiencing family violence will miss out on case management support if this funding is not renewed, and many more children. 

“Additionally, more than 200 specialist workers could lose their jobs, and many refuges may no longer be able to provide support 24/7. 

“This will absolutely put people’s lives at risk.” 

Safe and Equal’s budget submission is supported by findings recently released as part of the Measuring Family Violence Demand and Capacity Report, which shows high caseloads and inadequate funding for specialist family violence services are leading to workforce shortages and notable wait times for victim survivors – with some waiting up to 29 days to receive specialist support. 

“Services have been telling us for a long time that current funding levels aren’t enough to meet increasing demand, and the specialist workforce is continually under pressure,” said Ms Farha. 

“If the Victorian Government does not renew the funding that enables this complex and critical work, this will be deeply concerning, and will no doubt have enormous repercussions for victim survivors.” 

Ms Farha says that sustainably investing in services to support victim survivors is key to achieving the vision of a Victoria free from family and gender-based violence, where women, children and all people from marginalised communities are safe, thriving, and respected. 

“I cannot stress this enough – if we want to improve outcomes for all people experiencing family violence, we need to ensure that specialist services are adequately resourced to do their work – and that’s exactly what our state budget submission is calling for,” said Ms Farha. 

“Because everyone experiencing or at risk of family violence should be able to access the support they need, when they need it.”