Federal budget 2022: Cameras, bug sweeps in DV security upgrades

Millions of dollars will be used to help domestic violence victim-survivors stay safe in their own homes including security upgrades like cameras, bug sweeps and safe phones.

The government has pledged $207 million to protect at-risk woman and children safe in their homes and communities.

Families and Social Services Minister and Women’s Safety Minister Anne Ruston said the commitment spans the “life cycle of violence”.

She said the money, boosted from $42 million last year, will go towards a range of prevention initiatives including a national consent campaign, as well as frontline services.

The budget includes a payment of up to $5000 per person in financial assistance to establish a life free from violence, which will help an estimated 37,500 victim-survivors.

There will be $54.6 million over five years invested to support up to 30,000 victim-survivors to stay safe in their own homes through security assessments and upgrades including cameras, bug sweeps and safe phones.

Millions of dollars has been set aside to help women and children in domestic violence situations.

A further $100 million will be provided for a second stage of the Safe Places Program, which will deliver about 720 new emergency and transitional accommodation places that is estimated to support up to 2880 women and children annually.

These measures will form the first phase of the Commonwealth’s contribution to the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.

Anne Miles, 57, from Victoria, was previously in a long-term relationship with an abusive partner and now campaigns to improve how domestic violence is represented in the media and in advertising.

She said she welcomed funds for public education and helping to prevent domestic violence by creating equality for all — both men and women.

She said the public needed to better understand what domestic violence really looked like and not just what was depicted on TV.

“One of the biggest violations I went through was my partner repeatedly pushing me to the ground for half an hour until I was just curled in the foetal position, while he laughed,” she said.

She said removing stereotypes was essential, as well as gender barriers in the workplace.

Full Stop Australia CEO Hayley Foster said while she welcomed the new funds, she said it wasn’t enough and the government needed to invest $1 billion a year to adequately resource services for women experiencing domestic violence.

She said “untreated, unmet health needs” caused by violence in the home, including alcohol and drug use and suicide, costs the economy.

Originally published as Federal budget 2022: Cameras, bug sweeps in DV security upgrades