New emergency accommodation will be available for vulnerable women and children escaping violence in Logan and the Scenic Rim, following a $1,055,588.00 boost for the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation program.
Federal Member for Wright, Scott Buchholz said the Morrison Government was investing more than $1 million for yourtown to expand existing accommodation to more people in the region.
“This funding will make a real difference to the safety of women and children in our community, from Beaudesert to Jimboomba and beyond.
“Women often stay with family and friends to escape violent situations, sadly not everyone has that option available to them.
“This funding will provide vital emergency accommodation for 24 women and children each year to escape family and domestic violence,” Mr Buchholz said.
Federal Member for Forde, Bert van Manen said these new places will not only give women and children somewhere safe to sleep but will also provide access to specialist family and domestic violence services.
“This investment will help create real and lasting change in the lives of women and children experiencing family and domestic violence.
“The Safe Places program remains an important investment to improve access to suitable accommodation for women and their children.
“The first priority of the Morrison Government is to keep our local families safe and secure but, sadly, we know that home is not safe for many women and children,” Mr van Manen said.
The Safe Places program was originally designed to help over 6,000 Australian women and children each year to escape violence. This new funding will assist about an additional 450 women and children each year.
The Morrison Government is providing an additional $12.6 million to expand the Safe Places program to support women and children escaping violence in the communities of Cairns and Logan-Beaudesert in Queensland, and Albany, West Pilbara and Goldfields in Western Australia.
Minister for Families and Social Services and Minister for Women’s Safety Anne Ruston said the Safe Places program was originally designed to help more than 6,000 Australian women and children each year to escape violence. This new funding will assist about an additional 460 women and children each year.
“Women and children in regional and remote communities face specific challenges and often stay with family and friends to escape violent situations, though this is not always an option.
“The Safe Places program works alongside the new Escaping Violence Payment which provides women with up to $5,000 in immediate financial assistance as they establish a home free of violence,” Minister Ruston said.
For more information on the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation grants, visit the Community Grants Hub.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au.
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