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Community facilities Health | November 20, 2018

Liberal Nationals boost support for at risk women and children

A Liberal Nationals Government will help McAuley Community Services for Women expand their vital work in supporting Victorian women at risk of, or experiencing homelessness, with a $4 million boost.

McAuley Community Services for Women is the only 24/7 crisis service for women in Victoria.

This includes McAuley House, which offers a unique approach to services for women and children who have been homeless or have experienced family violence.

The $4 million investment will secure the service for the next four years and allow the service to expand to Ballarat.

Many factors drive people into homelessness including family violence, unaffordable rents, a lack of public housing, unemployment and health crises including mental illness.

Labor has failed to commit to ongoing funding for McAuley House, putting the future of this vital service at risk.

This investment will save lives by securing 24/7 support, safe house and crisis accommodation to women and children who are experiencing homelessness or family violence.

Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Women, Emma Kealy:

“Women and children who rely on McAuley Community Services for Women for crisis support need to know this service will continue into the future.

Labor has left them in limbo, refusing to commit to ongoing funding.

A Liberal Nationals Government will not only provide funding to secure the existing service, we’ll support its expansion to Ballarat to provide better health and support services for vulnerable women and children in Regional Victoria.”

Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Georgie Crozier:

“Providing emergency accommodation and support for survivors is critically important.

A Liberal Nationals Government will have a determined focus to ensure safe emergency accommodation is provided to women and children fleeing family violence and that support to victims is provided.

We do not want to see more of the current situation where there is inadequate accommodation and support for victims and survivors.”