Victoria Govt. funds different approach to family violence

The Victorian Government is investing $20 million in efforts to relocate domestic violence perpetrators from the family home rather than the victims.

The program to find alternative accommodation for
perpetrators comes after a spike in the number of people asking for help from
the Men’s Referral Service during the pandemic.

The $20 million package, announced on Monday, will cover the cost of accommodating 1500 adult and 400 adolescent perpetrators of family violence.

Liz Thomas, chief executive of family violence support
service Wayss, said allowing victims of family violence to stay in the home
meant the victims were not being punished.

“We know children of perpetrators are more likely to go on
and be perpetrators themselves so it’s good to break that cycle and get them to
learn new behaviours,” Ms Thomas said.