By ALESHA CAPONE
DEMANDS for family violence services are growing in the West as police refer a record number of victims for help.
Women’s Health West (WHW) offers a family violence outreach service across Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moonee Valley, Hobsons Bay and Wyndham.
CEO of the not-for-profit group, Dr Robyn Gregory, said during 2012-2013 police referred 4025 family violence cases to WHW – an increase of 35 per cent on the previous 12 months.
In parliament, Western metropolitan MP Andrew Elsbury has asked the Minister for Women’s Affairs and Community Services, Mary Wooldridge, to consider devoting more resources or funding to WHW in the next state budget.
Mr Elsbury said the State Government increased funding for WHW by 14 per cent in the last budget.
Dr Gregory said the funding rise was “very welcome” but WHW has been delegating more resources to its crisis response team.
“As you can imagine, it’s virtually impossible to have a waiting list when you’re dealing with family violence,” Dr Gregory said.
“When someone’s being assaulted in their home you can’t say, ‘Sorry we can’t see you, come back next time’.
“We’ve had to move resources from other areas into crisis response.
“We’re having to make some really tough decisions about who gets help and who doesn’t.
“We are really struggling to meet increasing demand for family violence services would appreciate anything the Government could do to assist.”
She said any new funding allocated to WHW would be used to increase capacity to keep up with ongoing case management, offer more children’s counselling and extend education to help stop violence occurring.
A spokesperson for Ms Wooldridge said she was “aware of the good work of Women’s Health West and regards the organisation as well-placed to receive further funding support when it becomes available”.
For help, call Women’s Health West on 9689 9588 during business hours, after hours on 9373 0123 or the Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Services of Victoria on 1800 015 188.
