News

| August 22, 2019

Kealy calls for Orange Door in the Wimmera

An increasing demand for domestic and family violence support services has led to a call by local service providers for the establishment of an Orange Door facility in Horsham.

Orange Doors are free services for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence.  It is a ‘one stop shop’ service designed to make it easier for people to seek help and support earlier, with clearly visible locations close to public transport.

Women in regional, rural and remote areas are more likely than women in urban areas to experience domestic and family violence.

One of the key recommendations from the recent Royal Commission into Family Violence was for the Government to ensure there is greater access to support services in one secure facility when people are experiencing family violence.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has long advocated for a support and safety hub in Horsham and has again written to the Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence calling for the Andrews Labor Government to immediately provide funding for an Orange Door facility in Horsham.

“In communities where Orange Doors are operating local people can readily access family violence support services, giving them the support they need before a situation reaches crisis point,” Ms Kealy said.

 “Local service providers have approached me concerned that their resources are being stretched to the limit with the increasing demand for help from Wimmera residents.

 “The Orange Door facility in Morwell has provided assistance to more than 5,000 Gippsland residents and I am calling on the Andrews Labor Government to make the funding available for a similar facility in Horsham to provide Wimmera residents with the support services they are entitled to and expect.”