Lifeline For People Experiencing Domestic Violence

Lifeline will receive $500,000 funding to help assist victims of domestic violence Senator Kay Patterson, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Status of Women, announced today.

The $500,000 will be used to improve access to Lifeline’s services for families at risk of domestic violence.

“This $500,000 is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to preventing, reducing and responding to domestic and family violence through the $50 million Partnerships Against Domestic Violence initiative,” Senator Patterson said.

A key goal of the current phase of Partnerships Against Domestic Violence is to create a comprehensive, coordinated and effective response to break the cycle of violence against women.

“The Partnerships Against Domestic Violence initiative continues to gather knowledge and find better ways of preventing and addressing domestic and family violence in the community,” Senator Patterson said.

To date, there have been more than 230 projects funded at the local, regional and national level through Partnerships Against Domestic Violence.

Dawn Smith, National Manager of Lifeline, said Lifeline in Australia is thrilled to be receiving these funds from the Australian Government.

“Lifeline answers more than 10,000 calls a year about domestic violence – most of these calls are from women and involve families with children.

“These funds will assist Lifeline in ensuring these callers gain access to the 13 11 14 service 24 hours a day all year round,” Dawn Smith said.

Since its establishment in 1963, Lifeline’s national 24-hour telephone counselling service has developed a respected profile as part of Australia’s primary care network. Lifeline is recognised as an outstanding service throughout the Australian community.