Unsafe and Unhoused
October 10, 2024A new report from Anglicare Tasmania calls on governments to prioritise the North West region when allocating funding to assist victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.
National Cabinet recently announced a national $4.7 billion plan to boost frontline supports across the country over the next five years.
Unsafe and Unhoused reveals the North West’s current shortage of affordable housing is compromising the safety of victim-survivors. It was released by Anglicare’s Social Action and Research Centre in Burnie today.
The report shows the North West is a domestic and family violence (DFV) ‘hot spot’ with Tasmania Police reporting rates of DFV that are 1.35 times higher than in the South. The number of people seeking housing assistance due to DFV is also 3.75 times higher in the North West than in the South. When compared to other regions, the North West has fewer self-contained crisis shelter units for women and children and further resourcing is needed for the women’s shelter.
“The recent announcement by National Cabinet provides a unique opportunity to focus on responding to the needs of the region by delivering more housing and other supports,” said Policy and Advocacy Officer Ginny Toombs.
One of the greatest barriers to the safety of victim-survivors in the North West is the shortage of safe and affordable housing, especially for those on low incomes. Housing options give people greater opportunity to leave abusive situations and access help and support.
Anglicare called on the Tasmanian Government to allocate funding for additional crisis accommodation in the region, and to deliver more transitional and social housing suitable for people who have escaped domestic and family violence. No new units specifically for victim-survivors have been built in the North West in the last five years.
Unsafe and Unhoused also recommended:
– improvements to how agencies including police, share information, assess risks and respond to DFV situations;
– a clear timeline for delivery of a North West ARCH Centre to provide coordinated support for people affected by sexual violence;
– that the supportive residential program Bringing Baby Home be made available in the North West; and
– increased funding for specialist family violence counselling services, including children’s counselling, in the region.
Anglicare welcomed recent government announcements of dedicated Family Court premises within the Burnie Court Complex and funding to improve access to legal services in the North West.
“This is great news for DFV victim-survivors in the North West but more is needed,” said Ms Toombs. “There must be a substantial investment in housing and other specialist support services if we’re to make a real difference in people’s lives and break the cycle of disadvantage in families and communities.”