Victims of family and domestic violence
The Government will provide funding from 1 July 2021 for initiatives to reduce and support the victims of Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence (FDSV) against women and children. Further, the Government announced it will not proceed with a measure to extend early release of superannuation to victims of family and domestic violence.
Early superannuation release for victims of family and domestic violence
The Government’s previous measure, announced in an attempt to help victims of family and domestic violence, allowed women to withdraw up to $10,000 from their superannuation accounts. In this Budget, the Government has announced it will not proceed with the measure to extend early release of superannuation to victims of family and domestic violence.
Women’s safety
As part of the National Plan currently being developed, the Government has announced it will provide $998.1 million over four years from 2021-22, plus $2.3 million in 2025-26, for initiatives to reduce and support the victims of FDSV.
Programs and initiatives that directly support women and children who are victims of FDSV
Funding of $507.3 million over four years from 2021-22 will be provided to implement and enhance a range of programs and initiatives directly supporting women and children who have been subjected to FDSV.
Programs for prevention of FDSV and education
Funding of $92.4 million will be provided over four years to support programs aimed at the prevention of FDSV, to support education on consent and respectful relationships and to improve training outcomes for those who may encounter FDSV.
Support services
Funding of $320.1 million over four years will be provided to further support services assisting vulnerable women and children to engage with the legal system, increase access to Children’s Contact Services and support the development of improvements in the legal system in dealing with FDSV.
Improvement of data collection
Funding of $80.6 million over five years will be provided to improve data collection and to further enhance research capability into FDSV to better support the development of future policy responses including the development of the next National Plan to reduce FDSV in Australia.