March 2004

Domestic violence service expands

An expanded domestic violence alliance in Moorabbin will provide accommodation and support to women and children escaping domestic violence and young women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness across Melbourne’s southern suburbs.

Launching the Women’s Services Alliance in Moorabbin, Housing Minister Candy Broad said it would significantly increase the number of women and children assisted in the local area.

‘The alliance will provide accommodation and outreach support to around 380 women and children each year.

‘That represents a 70 per cent increase in the number of people who will receive assistance.’

Ms Broad said the alliance followed last year’s launch of the Government’s Family and Domestic Violence Crisis Protection Framework to help develop family violence crisis support and accommodation support across Victoria.

The Women’s Services Alliance brings together three already existing services to provide a coordinated response on one site.

The services are the Inner South Domestic Violence Service—providing outreach support for women–Caroline Lodge Women’s Refuge—crisis accommodation and support for women and children escaping domestic violence and Verve—accommodation and outreach support for young women at risk of homelessness across Victoria.

‘The new service will receive $809,863 in State Government funding each year and employ 12 equivalent full-time staff with management provided by the Salvation Army,’ Ms Broad said.

Through the Office of Housing, the Government ready provides $15.8 million in annual funding for services to women and women with children who are experiencing family violence.