TWO YEARS ON FROM THE ROYAL COMMISSION INTO FAMILY VIOLENCE MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER
Two years ago, Australia’s first-ever Royal Commission into Family Violence shone a bright light on a dark secret.
At long last, the truth was revealed, and victims were heard.
The greatest law and order crisis in our state – in our country – was finally being treated with the seriousness it always deserved.
Our Government immediately accepted the final report’s 227 recommendations, and pledged to implement them in full.
We also made a promise – that we would do everything in our power to build a better system.
One that protects victims, holds perpetrators to account, and prevents family violence before it begins.
That’s why last year’s Budget included more funding – $1.9 billion – for family violence than every single previous Victorian Budget combined.
Over the past twelve months, we’ve kept up the momentum.
We’ve invested in additional social housing and crisis accommodation. Funded five Specialist Family Violence Courts across Victoria. Expanded access to flexible support packages. Strengthened responses for our diverse communities.
These changes will help thousands of Victorians. They will save lives.
None of them would have been possible without the truly extraordinary efforts of family violence survivors, specialists, service providers, and everyday Victorians.
I’d like to thank them for their incredible courage and their unflagging advocacy.
They’re the Victorians who set us on the path to one of the biggest social reforms in our state’s history.
We know there’s still a lot of work ahead.
But our commitment to preventing and responding to family violence has never been stronger.