Strength against violence

A PROJECT will be rolled out across the state, including in Casey, aimed at better protecting and supporting women and children at high risk of family violence.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin recently welcomed the State Government announcement of an additional $30 million over four years through the Strengthening Risk Management project.
The south-east region, covering Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong, will benefit from a full-time worker to co-ordinate information sharing as well as providing practical support for women and children by linking them to the range of services they need.
“Family violence is a serious issue in our community that must be addressed,” Mr Battin said.
“Tragically, there have been some high profile cases of family violence recently.
“As a former police officer, I know all too well that these incidents are the tip of the iceberg and that family violence can take place behind closed doors for a long time before being reported or detected.”
The package includes the statewide expansion of the program that brings together police, the courts, family violence and family services to keep women and children at high risk of violence safe and hold dangerous perpetrators to account.
“As a government we have a responsibility to fund supportive programs and services and as a community we have a responsibility to change attitudes and make family violence completely unacceptable, to talk about it, and not ignore it because we don’t want to get involved,” Mr Battin said.
Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge said the investment built on a number of initiatives implemented by the Coalition Government to prevent violence, intervene early, respond effectively when it occurs and hold perpetrators to account.
“We have worked alongside experts to develop a whole of government action plan to address family violence, and we have been very focused on delivering practical initiatives which deliver a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to ensure the safety of women and children,” she said.