Action against sexual violence remains stalled

The peak body for specialist sexual assault and harmful sexual behavior services is disappointed that today’s budget does not provide much-needed change in the area of ​​sexual violence.

We have asked the government for an initial investment of $9 million to:

No funding for the overdue sexual violence strategy

Kathleen Maltzahn, CEO of SASVic, said: “Sexual assault survivors have every right to expect more. The status quo is not good enough.”

The Victorian government continues to delay its sexual violence strategy, which was recommended by the Victorian Law Reform Commission and which the government has promised to implement in 2022.

No funding to fix the broken justice system for victim survivors

SASVic calls for comprehensive judicial and legal reform, including Justice Navigators. These roles will help survivors navigate their support, recovery, compensation and justice options and would make a huge difference to survivors’ experience of our complex and punitive justice system.

“We are very disappointed that there is nothing in this budget to fix our broken justice system,” Kathleen Maltzahn continued.

No new funding for the sexual assault department

It’s unclear whether there have been cuts to the top and sector at this point – “certainly we haven’t seen the increase in core funding that our members need just to keep up with growing demand,” says Kathleen Maltzahn.

Next steps – new package

Prime Minister Allan has now promised a new women’s safety package and we look forward to working with the Government to ensure it includes real action on sexual violence.

“This is the government’s chance to show that it has heard the public outcry for action and is aware of the need for reform in the area of ​​sexual violence.”

“We were pleased to have met with the Prime Minister on Friday afternoon, along with our colleagues in the area of ​​family violence, and will make concrete proposals for measures against sexual violence to be included in the new package. We will monitor closely to ensure that sexual violence is addressed appropriately,” says Kathleen Maltzahn.

We continue to call on the government to put forward a strategy against sexual violence, implement legal and judicial reform and ensure funding for the area and peak of sexual assault.

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