It's frustrating that in its 2018 budget the government could map out the costings of a seven-year tax cut package but wouldn't secure that same forecast period of funding for frontline domestic violence services.
Every year around the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November), politicians with white ribbons pinned to their suits deliver passionate speeches about protecting women from domestic violence. But when it comes to implementing life saving measures, their lack of action speaks louder than words.
Keeping Australians safe was one part of the government's five key points in the budget plan. Safety concerns are mentioned multiple times in Treasurer Scott Morrison's speech and touch on securing borders, improving roads, city safety and preventing elder abuse. Yet there was no mention of safety for those escaping violence, let alone money for frontline services and safe housing.
Funding for women's refuges is currently allocated under the homelessness agenda, which raises issues because of the specialist services required by victims of domestic violence — appropriate cultural and linguistic support including translation services, trauma counselling, access to legal advice and representation, and schooling for children.
The 2015 Australian of the year Rosie Batty's heartbreaking story and campaigning helped shine a spotlight on domestic violence. The minister for women at the time, Michaelia Cash, said an impactful campaign similar to those against smoking or drink driving was needed to bridge a gap in Australians' understanding about domestic violence.
The 2015-16 budget reflected that public pressure to address the scourge of domestic violence — announcements included a $30 million state-federal awareness campaign on reducing violence against women and their children.
This was followed in September by an additional $100 million Women's Safety Package including a big advertising campaign to address the root causes of family violence — later added to with a further $100 million thanks in part to the campaigning efforts of groups like Fair Agenda.
"The decision to direct large amounts of funding towards domestic violence awareness campaigns without improving frontline service delivery has left many victims vulnerable."
On the flip side, the success of the advertising campaign has strained resources as it drastically increased the number of people fleeing abusive situations. Leaving a violent home or taking legal action such as taking out an apprehended violence order is usually the most dangerous time in a relationship. The finality of such actions often leads domestic violence perpetrators to act irrationally — which can lead to them causing grievous bodily harm to victims, and in some cases killing them.
Domestic Violence NSW CEO Moo Baulch said women's refuges were often, if not always, full. Shortfalls mean some victims live temporarily in their car, or on the street while waiting for more permanent accommodation. For those with children, being left without a roof over their heads isn't really an option, and so they take a big risk by staying in a dangerous situation. Hence the decision to direct large amounts of funding towards domestic violence awareness campaigns without improving frontline service delivery has left many victims vulnerable.
Short term funding and funding cuts create an uncertainty which leads to staffing cuts or staff on rolling contracts, relocation of services, and increased caseloads. All of this makes it hard for organisations like community legal centres, homelessness services and women's shelters to support those escaping violent situations.
In 2013-14 Australia's oldest running refuge, Beryl Women Inc., received a 32 per cent funding cut over a three-year period. Outputs are increasing, but it faces an uncertain future if more cuts were to occur. Refuges around the country are facing similar pressures — with some women even being sent interstate due to lack of capacity.
One in six Australian women will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime, while First Nations women are 34 times more likely to be hospitalised due to domestic violence. At the time of publication 24 women have been killed this year. The year before it was 49. Imagine what a certainty of funding for frontline domestic services could do to reduce this number.
In the government's budget there were some concessions for women's safety. $6.7 million was given to continue DV Alert — a domestic violence response training program for community and frontline workers. $11.5 million was also allocated to enhance the capacity of trauma specialists for counselling phone line 1800RESPECT. This is presumably in response to recommendations from a Senate inquiry into the controversial changes to 1800 RESPECT which attracted complaints — it was 'basically a privatisation', 70 specialists had been made redundant, and not all first responders were trained trauma specialists.
On the morning of its budget reply, Labor released its women's budget . Its violence against women measures included $43.2 million to reform the court system so victims of family violence can't be cross examined by perpetrators, and $88 million for a new Safe Housing Fund to increase transitional housing options for women and children escaping domestic and family violence and other vulnerable people.
Australians will have to wait until September for the government's women's budget — marking its return after being scuttled by Tony Abbott in 2014, when he was not only prime minister but also women's minister.
The lack of secure, sustainable, long term funding for frontline domestic services puts Australians at risk every day. It's time for politicians to put their money where their mouth is.
Eliza Berlage is a Canberra based journalist and podcast producer with a background in sociology. She currently works in the Parliament House press gallery as a researcher for The Conversation's chief political correspondent Michelle Grattan.