Last week, the Federal Government launched an ambitious National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children (2022-2032) in one generation, but no new funding has yet been announced to fill blackspots and shortfalls in essential frontline services for people impacted by violence and abuse.

Full Stop Australia is calling for a $1 billion commitment in the 2022/23 Federal Budget.

The release of an ambitious 10-year National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children has been heralded as a blueprint to end gender-based violence in one generation.

The Plan commits to ensuring people impacted by sexual, domestic and family violence have access to the trauma specialist services they need to achieve safety and to heal and recover from the impacts of the violence and abuse they have received. However, no new funding has yet been committed to make this a reality.

Full Stop Australia Chief Executive Officer, Hayley Foster, said the Federal Government needs to commit a minimum of $1 billion per annum to fill known blackspots and shortfalls in sexual, domestic and family violence services across Australia.

“We now have a roadmap to ending violence against women and children in this country, but the words on the page won’t become a reality if we don’t invest in the actions needed,” Ms Foster said.

“For 50 years, Full Stop Australia has been providing trauma specialist counselling and recovery support for people of all ages and genders impacted by sexual, domestic and family violence when they have nowhere else to turn. However, our national service still relies entirely upon community donations and philanthropic support to function.”

“It’s currently chance if victim-survivors get the support they need as specialist services are so overwhelmed across the country. We need to invest in the services that victim-survivors are already calling on for support.”

“Right now, many services across the country are so underfunded that they’re just dealing with the crises on their doorstep and don’t have the counsellors to support people longer term to heal and recover.”

“If we want to end violence against women and children then we need a real investment to support those who have been impacted by sexual, domestic and family violence.”

“We need to make it easier for victim-survivors to know where to go for this support to rebuild and recover after the crisis.”

“We need to put numbers to specific, measurable targets, for example committing to a 50% increase in the number of people who can access the services they need when they need them.”

“We need a funding commitment to address this crisis, once and for all.”