Greens Senate Leader and spokesperson on Women, Senator Larissa Waters, has written to Minister for Women Marise Payne ahead of tomorrow’s meeting of Women’s Safety Ministers asking for additional funding and national coordination to improve frontline police services available to people reporting domestic and family violence.
“Women who have survived domestic violence won’t seek police help if they think they will be disbelieved or exposed to more danger,” she said.
“The reported cases of leaking survivors’ details, failures to prosecute, unfortunate remarks and under-enforcement of DVO breaches are extremely concerning and show more police training and cultural change is required within the Queensland Police Service.
“The Federal government can’t continue to say police matters are a state issue, when they could improve frontline police services on family violence through federal funding for training, enforcement and harmonisation.
“Women’s services also tell us of the urgent need for more funding for the Family Court, prevention and early intervention programs, specialist legal and support services, crisis accommodation and housing support to improve the family law system.
“We need an urgent investment of $5.3 billion for a new 10-year ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Partnership Agreement on Domestic Violence and Violence Against Women between state and Federal governments.
“Governments must listen when these front line services say more funding will make a difference and invest to fix the domestic violence crisis.”
View the full letter here:
