Working to eliminate violence against women

25 November was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. It also marked the start of 16 Days of Activism, which concludes on International Human Rights Day, 10 December.

A recent report from Anglicare Tasmania noted that Tasmania’s North West region was recognised as a domestic and family violence (DFV) ‘hot spot’.  Anglicare called on governments to prioritise the region when allocating funding to assist victim-survivors.

Unsafe and Unhoused revealed that Tasmania Police reports rates of DFV that are 1.35 times higher than in the South. At the same time, the number of people seeking housing assistance due to DFV is 3.75 times higher than in the South.

Report author Ginny Toombs is a Policy and Advocacy Officer with Anglicare’s Social Action and Research Centre. She says the North West has fewer self-contained crisis shelter units for women and children than in other parts of Tasmania.

“The one women’s shelter in the region is under-resourced and there have been no new units built specifically for women and children in the North West in the last five years,” she explained.

“A person can only leave an abusive situation and access help and support if they have somewhere safe and affordable to live. The lack of housing is one of the greatest barriers to the safety of victim-survivors in the North West, most of whom are on low incomes.”

Breaking the cycle

Ms Toombs said breaking the cycle of DFV and disadvantage would have far-reaching benefits for parents, children and the entire community.

“We know from previous Anglicare research that childhood trauma, including family violence, increases the risk of young people experiencing domestic violence in their own intimate relationships,” she said.

“Investing in counselling, including children’s counselling, is vital for children’s safety now and as they move into and through adulthood. When victim-survivors of domestic violence and their children are supported well, the whole community will benefit.”

Anglicare says governments can take action now that will make people’s lives safer. This can be achieved by:

• investing in social and affordable housing, including crisis and transitional housing and long-term accommodation;
• improving how agencies (including police) share information, assess risks and respond to DFV situations; and
• delivering on a commitment to bring coordinated support programs that are working well in other areas of the State (such as the Bringing Baby Home program and the ARCH Centre model) to the North West.

More information

Follow events for the 16 Days of Activism on the Womens Legal Service Tasmania Facebook page.

Anglicare’s RAIN (Relationship Abuse of an Intimate Nature) program is available for people impacted by family violence who live in the North West.