The ACT Government is increasing funding to prevent domestic and family violence and sexual assault.

“Rates of domestic and family violence and the growing national conversation about sexual assault have strengthened Canberrans’ calls for action, and the ACT Government is responding accordingly,” said Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry.  “These issues have touched people from all walks of life in our community.”

The ACT Government will increase the Safer Families Levy by $5 per year over four years, taking the Levy from $30 per household to $50 per household in 2024/25.  The Levy increase will deliver $8.8 million over the next 4 years to fund essential family, domestic and sexual violence initiatives for the ACT community. Frontline service delivery by community and government services will be prioritised. 

The Safer Families Levy was established in 2016 to respond to domestic and family violence in the ACT, and has already proven effective in coordinating and delivering services, Ms Berry said.

By this small increase in the Safer Families Levy, the community will help enhance frontline services, and can see their contribution to solving this problem itemised on their rates notices.

“Together, we can tackle these challenges by supporting victim-survivors and the services making a difference to their lives,” Ms Berry said.

In addition, the 2021/22 Budget will expand programs through the increase to the Safer Families Levy:

• $2.2 million over four years for the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre and the Domestic Violence Crisis Service to meet increased service demand.
• $4.1 million over four years for the Health Justice Partnerships program (Legal Aid and Women’s Legal Centre lawyers help women in health services and hospitals), and to evaluate the program.
• $817,000 over four years for rental assistance for women escaping domestic and family violence.
• $1.4 million over four years for the Safer Families Collaboration Program. Two full-time staff in the Domestic Violence Crisis Service work with ACT Child Youth Protection Services. The Safe and Together Institute will train child protection workers. This includes funding of $698,000 in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
• $790,000 over four years to scope and design domestic and family violence responses for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, in response to the We Don’t Shoot Our Wounded Report. This includes sitting fees for the Domestic Violence Prevention Council Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander reference group.
• $249,000 for the Family Violence Safety Action Pilot, to better respond to the needs of high-risk families.
• $400,000 over four years to continue funding Women’s Safety Grants.
• $1.5 million over four years for the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program to develop a robust approach to sexual assault in Canberra that focuses on prevention, response, law reform, and workplace safety.

Full details of the funding and delivery through the Safer Families Levy will be provided when the ACT Budget is delivered on 31 August.

ACTCOSS (ACT Council of Social Services) acknowledged the increase to the Safer Families Levy.

CEO Dr Emma Campbell said: “The Safer Families Levy sends the message that the whole community must play a role in protecting those at risk of harm from domestic and family violence. We have been calling for increased transparency and accountability around the Safer Families Levy and a fairer share for the community sector.

“We are encouraged that the ACT Government has committed to using the additional levy for investment in frontline domestic and family violence services.”

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