The ACT Government has allocated more than $12 million extra in the 2024-25 ACT Budget to address domestic, family and sexual violence, including coercive control.
“Across Australia, domestic and family violence is a crisis that requires urgent and ongoing attention,” Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, said.
“Governments at all levels need to be doing everything they can to bring an end to this epidemic.
“This Budget places addressing domestic, family and sexual violence at the forefront of the ACT Government’s agenda.
“Alongside significant funding boosts to frontline services, this Budget provides funding to develop an educational campaign on what constitutes coercive control and how to appropriately respond to it.”
The funding includes a $375,000 coercive control package, which will train frontline agencies, such as ACT Policing and the Courts, how to identify and respond to coercive control, and run a public education campaign.
Frontline response services such as the Domestic Violence Crisis Service, Canberra Rape Crisis Centre, YWCA, Beryl Women Inc, and Women’s Health Matters will receive substantial funding boosts.
“As first points of support for many people experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence, crisis services, refuges and specialist services for men are all vital to address the immediate impact of domestic and family violence and keeping people safe,” a spokesperson said.
EveryMan will receive more than $1.6. million to expand its violence prevention programs targeting perpetrators.
If you are experiencing or have experienced domestic, family or sexual violence, help is available.
Support Services Contacts
Local supports
Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS)
Who: Anyone impacted by domestic, and family violence
Ph: 02 9280 0900
W: dvcs.org.au
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre
Who: Anyone impacted by sexual violence
Ph: 02 6247 2525
W: crcc.org.au
Multicultural Hub Canberra
Who: Anyone with a multicultural background
Ph: 02 6100 4611
W: mhub.org.au
Victim Support ACT (VSACT) including VSACT specialist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outreach program
Ph: 1800 8222 72 or 02 6205 2222
W: victimsupport.act.gov.au
ACT Policing
Who: Anyone who requires police assistance.
Ph: 131 444
Please call 000 if you are in immediate danger
W: police.act.gov.au/online-services
24/7 Hotlines
1800 Respect
Who: Anyone impacted by sexual, domestic, or family violence
Ph: 1800 737 732
W: 1800respect.org.au
Full Stop Australia
Who: Anyone impacted by sexual, domestic, or family violence
Ph: 1800 385 578 (1800 FULL STOP)
W: fullstop.org.au
Lifeline
Who: Anyone who is feeling suicidal, overwhelmed, or having difficulty coping or staying safe
Ph: 13 11 14
W: lifeline.org.au
13YARN
Who: Anyone who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and who requires support for any reason.
Ph: 13 92 76
W: 13yarn.org.au
Legal Supports
Women’s Legal Centre ACT
Ph: 02 6257 4377
Legal Aid ACT Family and Personal Violence Unit
Ph: 1300 654 314 or 02 6207 1874
Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT Family Violence Prevention Unit
Ph: 02 6120 8850
