The flagship national domestic and family violence and sexual assault counselling, information and support service, 1800RESPECT, will receive $10.9 million in additional Australian Government funding to meet ongoing demand.
The funding was announced by the Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher, Assistant Minister for Children and Families, Michelle Landry and Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services, Sarah Henderson.
1800RESPECT was established in 2010 to help those affected by domestic and family violence and sexual assault. It is delivered by Medibank Health Solutions (MHS) and three trauma specialist counsellor partners – Women’s Safety Services in South Australia, safe steps Family Violence Response Centre in Victoria and DV Connect in Queensland.
In 2017-18, 1800RESPECT answered almost 100,000 telephone and online contacts from people seeking support. This was a 54 per cent increase from the previous year. In 2018 19, it’s expected the service will answer more than 160,000 contacts.
“The $10.9 million funding announced today will boost the number of 1800RESPECT counsellors to the largest number ever,” Minister Fletcher said.
“These counsellors will answer calls and provide online counselling. The funding will also fund an additional 33 full time equivalent trauma specialist counsellors and increase IT support and training for counsellors.”
1800RESPECT is an initiative of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010-2022.
Visit www.1800respect.org.au and plan4womenssafety.dss.gov.au/initiatives/1800respect for more information.