19 Sep 2016 Wangaratta Chronicle, Wangaratta VIC (General News) by Steve Kelly Improving current service system supporting victims A LOCAL support organisation has welcomed the first injection of funding following the Royal Commission into Family Violence, tabled in March this year. Some $16.8 million has been announced for family violence support across Northern Victoria. Wangaratta-based Tammy Smith, regional integration coordinator for Goulburn Ovens Murray Integrated Family Violence, has welcomed the funding. Its the first tangible injection of funding for improving the current service system since the release of the Royal Commission into Family Violence Report, she said. Each of our local service providers work tirelessly to support women and children experiencing family violence from crisis support through to recovery. Services also put a great deal of energy into working with men who chose to use violence who are wanting to change their behaviours. Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria) said critical services for families, women and children in the Goulburn, Ovens Valley, Yarra Ranges, Loddon and Mallee regions will share in the funding. She said the funding will more than double the capacity of specialist family violence service providers to offer case management to family violence victims with at least 9000 women and children expected to benefit in 2016-17. It will expand case management, counselling for women and children, mens family violence services, flexible support packages and sexual assault support services. Greater support for women and children from Aboriginal or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds (CALD) will also be given. e The funding will provide a 480 per cent increase in t Flexible Support Packages for victims of family violence, with 5100 packages available for practical support includn ing rental or relocation costs, furnishings, clothing and e books for children or security l measures to improve safety at home, Ms Symes said. n Women and children will l get the support they need through safety planning and s crisis response, with compre hensive help to access housing options, legal support, financial counselling and therapeutic interventions. Sexual assault victims will be supported through crisis care, counselling and advocacy, and more than 1900 men who use violence will receive support to change their attitudes and behaviour. If you require support in escaping family violence call Womens Health Goulburn North East on 57223009 or Centre Against Violence on free call 1800 806 292. In the case of an emergency call triple zero (000). Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.