There will soon be more support for victims of domestic violence in the Hunter, with the state government rolling out the Safer Pathway program.
Following a trial at six sites across the NSW, the government has committed $53-million over four years to expand the program statewide, with 21 locations being rolled out in 2016-17.
Up until now, victims of domestic violence have had to tell their story over and over again to the various support agencies trying to help them, which in turn leaves them more traumatised and more likely to give up and return to an abusive relationship.
The Safer Pathway program will bring together all government and non-government agencies such as police and local domestic and family violence services around the table at Safety Action Meetings each fortnight to coordinate support for victims on a case-by-case basis.
The program is being initially rolled out in the Newcastle and Port Stephens Police Local Area Commands from November, however it's expected the Lake Macquarie, Central Hunter and Hunter Valley Local Area Commands will soon join the program.
The service will be coordinated by the Hunter Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service who will appoint a Safety Action Meeting coordinator to set up the meetings, prepare an agenda and gather all the information required so the agency representatives can effectively discuss each case and target the support required.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Assault, Pru Goward says it's about helping victims of domestic violence break the cycle of abuse.
"We want victims to move on with their lives. We don;t want to see victims re-victimised by going back to violent relationships, and we know that Safety Action Meetings mean that all that work, all that support can be put around a victim at the same time," she said.
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| Pru Goward |
