THE state government has announced $572 million to tackle family violence.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the package would start to deliver on 65 of the most urgent recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence.

It includes money for housing and crisis refuges, counselling, prevention programs and support for children who are the victims of family violence.

“The Royal Commission told us there were some things that can’t wait, so we are taking urgent action to help save lives,” Mr Andrews said.

The funding boost will be delivered over two years and will be spread across metropolitan, regional and rural communities. 

“This is just the beginning, we have lots more work to do to build a new system that prevents family violence, protects the vulnerable, and punishes the guilty,” Mr Andrews said.

More than $152 million will be directed into a housing blitz, which involves building and redeveloping family violence refuges, expanding crisis accommodation and creating up to 130 new social housing homes.

The state government also wants to help victims access the private rental market.

About $122 million has been allocated to a new program that provides intensive support for children, as well as increasing family services and counselling and reforming the child protection system.

Specialist family violence services such as crisis support and counselling will receive more than $103 million to cope with ‘unprecedented demand’.

More than $61 million will be spent on prevention strategies, including expanding the Respectful Relationships program, introducing the state’s first Gender Equality Strategy, and helping local communities implement prevention initiatives. 

Almost $26 million will help Indigenous communities address family violence, including prevention and early intervention programs, new approaches to dispute resolution and expanding programs for Indigenous women.

The justice system is also due for reform, with $23.9 million to begin the process by expanding legal services for victims, more men’s behaviour change programs and developing ways to improve victims’ experiences at court.

Victoria Police will begin a trial of bodyworn cameras, and ‘will be given the equipment they need to respond more quickly to family violence.’

The state government has committed to further investments in the forthcoming budget to further resource police.

It is also working on a 10-year Victorian Family Violence Plan, to be delivered later this year. 

Mr Andrews said the groundwork was being laid with $32.5 million to develop a new system for safeguarding and sharing information between services, $19 million for a new type of family violence navigator to guide victims through crisis and recovery, $15.4 million for groups to hold the government to account in implementing the Royal Commission’s recommendations, $10.4 million to build the capacity of the family violence workforce, and $5 million to start rolling out the 17 safety and support hubs recommended by the Royal Commission.

Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Fiona Richardson said the state government was putting victims at the heart of the reforms.

“We will work with survivors and the people who support them to overhaul a family violence system that has failed them for too long,” she said.

“Our job is to protect victims and help them build safer futures, hold perpetrators to account in a way that changes their behaviour and work to prevent family violence from happening in the first place.”

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au In an emergency, call 000.