Members of the community experiencing domestic and family violence will receive tailored, multi-agency support with this month’s roll-out of Safer Pathway in the Manning-Great Lakes Local Area Command (LAC).
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Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Pru Goward joined local member Stephen Bromhead earlier this week to make the announcement.
“We know that having the right support in place is vital,” Mr Bromhead said.
“That is why I am so pleased that victims seeking support will have the tailored support through Safer Pathway to ensure their safety and recovery from abusive relationships.
“The expansion of Safer Pathway means domestic violence victims will be proactively offered support at a time when they most need it.”
Ms Goward said Safer Pathway aimed to ensure domestic violence victims across NSW received a consistent, effective response regardless of where they lived.
“Greater Taree LGA ranks 41 out of 140 LGAs in NSW for the highest rate of domestic violence related assault,” she said.
“This unfortunately puts the area in the top third of domestic violence related assaults in the State.
“Following the success of Safer Pathway’s first six sites, the NSW Government has committed $53 million over four years to expand Safer Pathway State-wide, with 21 new locations rolling out in 2016-17.”
Safer Pathway brings together local representatives including police, health, corrections, familyand community services and education along with local specialist non-government domestic and family violence services, creating a streamlined, integrated referral pathway for victims who are ‘at threat’ or ‘at serious threat’ to their life, health or safety.
The service will be co-ordinated by the Mid North Coast Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service, which has a long history of providing professional advocacy and support for women who have experienced domestic violence.
“Under Safer Pathway victims have a single contact point – a specialised domestic and family violence worker – who links victims with the services they need, when they need them,” Ms Goward said.