25 February 2016 MEDIA STATEMENT

Funding cuts at heart of family violence crisis

It’s no surprise that today’s report on family violence finds Government agencies have to better coordinate when funding to anti-family violence networks was cut by two-thirds, says Labour’s spokesperson on Sexual and Domestic Violence Poto Williams.

“Agencies that deliver victim services were desperately underfunded. This goes to the heart of the Family Violence Death Review Committee’s finding that these agencies have to work better to prevent family violence.

“it is also appalling the Government has not increased its funding to this sector since 2009. These agencies now depend on donations and philanthropists to do their work.

“The funding cuts have meant that prevention of family violence is now flagging. Less money is now going into education and supporting children who experience and witness family violence.

“In recent weeks there has been talk that a key agency in preventing violence, the White Ribbon Campaign will also see its funding cut.

“The Government is trying to put a good news gloss on this report. However it must be remembered that there were 312 deaths from family violence last year and they were all preventable,“ says Poto Williams.

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