Major funding commitment to address family and domestic violence

A re-elected Cook Labor Government will invest $38.6 million in measures to address the scourge of family and domestic violence (FDV) in Western Australia.
  • $38.6 million package to support victim-survivors and hold perpetrators to account
  • Announcement to boost refuge capacity and deliver significant law reform
  • Commitment builds on the Cook Labor Government’s historic investment of more than half a billion dollars in family and domestic violence initiatives since 2017

A re-elected Cook Labor Government will invest $38.6 million in measures to address the scourge of family and domestic violence (FDV) in Western Australia.

The commitment includes $27.1 million to expand capacity at refuges across the State, allowing organisations to continue their crucial work supporting victim-survivors to leave dangerous perpetrators. The funding will create up to 18 new units in regional WA.

The Safe at Home program will also receive a $11.5 million boost, helping women and children to safely stay in their own homes after perpetrators have been removed.

In addition, the Cook Labor Government will make significant trauma informed changes to the Restraining Orders Act, including increasing the maximum penalty of the existing breach of a FVRO offence and introducing two new breach of FVRO offences with higher penalties.

Our reforms will also reduce the number of interactions a victim-survivor is required to have with the justice system and make it easier for them to obtain a FVRO, including a lifetime FVRO.

The announcement builds on the Cook Labor Government’s proven record of action to support victim-survivors and hold perpetrators to account.

Since 2017, the State Labor Government has invested more than $550 million in additional funding to address FDV. During the same period, the WA Labor Government has also increased refuge capacity by around 30 per cent.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

“Only WA Labor will invest in programs which address the cause of family and domestic violence, support victim-survivors and hold perpetrators to account."

“My Government’s historic investment of more than half a billion dollars in family violence initiatives since 2017 is a testament to our commitment to end this unacceptable scourge on our community."

“Today’s announcement will only build on this work, increasing crisis accommodation units across the State and delivering law reform to support victim-survivors seeking justice.”

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