Last year family violence offences in the ACT jumped 20 percent, continuing a year-on-year upward trend. Domestic violence in the ACT goes beyond what is reported, partly because coercive control is yet to be criminalised. 

Critical service providers are underfunded, overworked and unable to meet the demand for support.

Independents for Canberra candidates are calling for improved legislation to protect against coercive control and other forms of abuse, supported by training programs across the criminal justice system as well as community education initiatives.

The group is also committing to increasing dedicated housing options for women and children escaping violence, particularly in south Canberra, as well as ensuring all future funds raised through the Safer Families Levy go directly to frontline service providers.

Paula McGrady, candidate for Murrumbidgee, has worked in frontline service provision at one of Canberra’s few dedicated refuges for women and children escaping violence, Doris Refuge, and has sat on the boards of Beryl Refuge and Doris Refuge. Ms McGrady also worked at the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre for over 10 years as a counsellor, on-call crisis worker and Nguru Program coordinator.

"I have spent most of my life working with survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence. I know firsthand that we don't have enough support services in place. We don't do anywhere near enough to keep women and children safe.

"Worse, we make it harder for frontline service workers to do their job. We could make it a lot easier by reducing unrelenting and unnecessary administrative requirements, which take people away from hands-on crisis care.

“Physical violence in a household is almost always preceded by other forms of control and abuse. We are leaving women completely exposed by failing to legislate against coercive control.

“It’s time to tell the truth about what’s happening in our community. We’re in a domestic, family and sexual violence crisis. ‘Crisis’ means we need action now.”

Thomas Emerson, leader of Independents for Canberra and candidate for Kurrajong, said he was distressed to hear from critical service providers about the lack of housing for women escaping violence.

“Crisis service providers are being forced to triage women who are reaching out for help.

“We’re telling women experiencing violence that they’ll just have to wait it out because we don’t have a home for them. 

“We can’t keep turning vulnerable people away. Women experiencing violence in Canberra need access to dedicated housing supported by wraparound services.

“The Safer Families Levy was introduced in 2016. Canberrans are paying $50 on our rates for this levy, with the amount now increasing each year. I’ve spoken with several key service providers working in the women’s safety space that haven’t seen any of this funding. 

“One provider that helps women who are experiencing violence told me their funding was cut in 2013 and it took 10 years for their funding to catch up, in dollar value, to previous levels. 

“If the Safer Families Levy isn’t going to the service providers that work tirelessly to keep women and children safe, where’s it going?

“Talk isn’t enough; it’s time for real action on family, domestic and sexual violence.”

Media Contact:

Annie Frisch | 0410 738 610‬‬ | [email protected]

More details are available at www.independentsforcanberra.com/policy