Family violence workers say: don't tie our hands

In the lead up to this election both major parties are paying lip service to the importance and life-saving potential of family violence services. But the reality is that they're both choosing to leave thousands of women in danger, by not fully funding the services women rely on to be safe.

Family violence workers are calling on both major parties to stop leaving thousands of women in danger, and fully fund family violence services. 

Are you a family violence worker? Sign your support to join the campaign.

Not a family violence worker, but want to sign your support? You can join the campaign at www.fairagenda.org/family_violence_services

To those standing at this election,

We are writing to you from the front lines of Australia’s family and domestic violence crisis.

We work with women and families impacted by violence and abuse on some of the worst days of their lives. We know that when people come to us for support, they’re often in extreme danger -- because when you try to escape someone who is physically, emotionally or financially abusing you, that person will often respond by using increased violence and threats.

That’s why having access to family and domestic violence services is so important.

Day to day, many of us are responsible for assessing and managing the risks to the life and wellbeing of the people we work with. Sometimes our response can be the difference between life and death.

But right now, inadequate government funding is tying our hands - and leaving us unable to provide the scale and scope of support that the women and children who rely on our services need. Leaving thousands of them in danger.

We want to do everything we can to increase the safety of women who have been subjected to emotional, physical and financial abuse. 

We urge you – please don’t tie our hands. Fully fund family violence services, and make sure every woman who reaches out for our support can access the assistance they need to live with safety and dignity.

Yours sincerely,

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Latest activity

Johanna , 2251  /  signed 2016-06-06 16:08:42 +1000
"We must ensure that women and children are able to obtain protection when needed."
Celia , 4520  /  signed 2016-05-27 19:12:58 +1000
hayley , 3066  /  signed 2016-05-27 18:19:53 +1000
Beth , 3006  /  signed 2016-05-27 16:32:27 +1000
"I work at the state wide family violence service and directly work with woman and children who require a well-funded national response."
Jess , 5014  /  signed 2016-05-25 15:31:51 +1000
Cheryl , 6156  /  signed 2016-05-25 10:48:34 +1000
Judy , 7310  /  signed 2016-05-25 07:40:42 +1000
Amanda , 2225  /  signed 2016-05-19 21:01:02 +1000
Fiona , 2208  /  signed 2016-05-19 10:23:02 +1000
"I work at a Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service and we have had a significant increase in referrals from police. Community Legal Centres have also had funding cuts."
Carol , 6430  /  signed 2016-05-18 17:18:35 +1000