Assistant Minister for Social Services Assistant, Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence & Labor MP for Richmond Justine Elliot has announced that the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Program will provide 26 Tweed Safe Places in Tweed Shire.
This emergency accommodation for women is part of the Albanese Labor Government commitment of $100 million over five years up to 2026-27 to continue the Safe Places program through the Safe Places Inclusion Round begun in 2023.
This initiative is part of the Government’s investment in women’s safety and the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
9 July 2024
Joint with:
The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP
Minister for Social Services
Member for Kingston
The Hon Justine Elliot MP
Assistant Minister for Social Services
Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence
Member for Richmond
The Albanese Labor Government is committed to improving accessibility and availability of emergency accommodation for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence.
Under the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Inclusion Round, 19 new projects will be funded to deliver around 720 new safe places across Australia over the next three years, as a result of successful grant applications.
The Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Program provides a capital investment to fund the building, renovation or purchase of emergency accommodation to support women and children in circumstances, where staying safely at home is not possible.
Around 4200 women and children are currently supported each year by Safe Places sites with temporary housing, and also case management and additional supports while accessing the services.
The Safe Places Inclusion Round supports the Government’s program of reform to improve women’s safety under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
Any women and children experiencing violence, regardless of background, will be able to access the new emergency accommodation. However, the projects will have a focus on improving inclusion and access for First Nations women and children, women and children from CALD backgrounds and women and children with disability.
This will be achieved through dwelling design and/or other specialised, accessible and culturally safe supports. The grant round also prioritised projects in locations with high unmet demand to help ensure victim-survivors can access emergency accommodation where and when they need it.
Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth said ensuring women and children have safe, secure emergency accommodation to turn to is vital when experiencing family and domestic violence.
“Family and domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness and housing uncertainty for women and children across Australia, and we know there is an increased demand for emergency accommodation,” Minister Rishworth said.
“We are funding the delivery of around 720 new safe places, which will bring the total number of emergency accommodation places delivered under the Safe Places Program across Australia to around 1500 once projects are completed.
“The new projects will have a focus on improving inclusion and access to support for First Nations women and children, women and children with disability, and women and children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, who we know can face unique challenges and barriers to accessing support when experiencing violence.”
Projects will be funded in each state and territory and were selected for funding through an open competitive grant round. All projects are expected to be complete and delivering services by June 2027.
Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Justine Elliot said it was important anyone experiencing or fleeing domestic violence had a safe place to go.
“Anyone experiencing family or domestic violence should have access to a safe place, where they can connect with specialised services and supports that effectively meet their needs,” Assistant Minister Elliot said.
“Along with states and territories we are committed to ending violence against women and children in one generation through our investments under the National Plan and this investment will help to progress this goal.”
For more information on the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Program visit the Department of Social Services website.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732.
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au.
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