Randwick acts on domestic violence
RANDWICK Council will look to increase its financial support to a local domestic violence support agency to allow it to open its doors one more day a week.
Southern Courier
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WITH one woman dying at the hands of her partner or ex every week in Australia, funding for women in need remains a vital issue.
Tonight, Randwick Council will look to increase its financial support to a local domestic violence support agency by $20,000.
Since 2014, referrals to the local agency, which must remain anonymous, rose by up to 500 per cent.
From October 2016 to September 2017, police responded to 373 incidents of domestic violence in Randwick city.
“Domestic violence is one of the greatest social challenges of our time. It is a crime and for too long it’s been a taboo topic to talk about,” Randwick Mayor Lindsay Shurey said.
“The statistics around violence against women and violence in the home suggests that it is vital we as a community continue to talk about domestic violence and ensure that women feel heard, supported and understood.
“The council will consider increasing support to the local domestic violence support agency by a third, boosting it from $40,000 to $60,000 to allow the service to be available three days a week. Currently it is only open twice a week.
“We have a long way to go but this is another good step in the right direction.”
Meanwhile, a plan to build a women’s shelter was included in the council’s Our Community Our Future plan adopted this month but it still relies on IPART allowing a 19.85 per cent rate rise over three years.
“Council will ultimately be guided by ... key stakeholders on the most practical and effective actions we can take to help women affected by domestic violence,” a council spokesman said.
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