Bendigo experts have praised the state government’s investment in tackling family violence as extraordinary.

“To have almost $62 million available for prevention is not something we’ve ever had available before for any health issue, that I know about,” Women's Health Loddon Mallee executive officer Linda Beilharz said.

“We should be able to have a much bigger impact – we’re no longer tinkering around the edges.”

Ms Beilharz was looking forward to learning more about how the package would affect regional areas, but welcomed the $21.8 million to expand the respectful relationships program in Victorian schools. 

“If we’re talking about prevention, that really is one of the best places to start,” she said.

Annie North Women’s Refuge chief executive Julie Oberin said the government’s speedy response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission would help prevent victims becoming homeless. 

“There is a lot of bottle necking in refuges and crisis accommodation because there is no safe and affordable housing for women to go to.”

“Rapid rehousing is fantastic and is using a number of approaches – it is building more houses, it is head leasing, and it is enabling women to have support to access private rental properties.”

Ms Oberin said women often ended up in limbo because of a lack of permanent solutions, and the sooner they could be relocated, the better the recovery process would be. 

Construction has started on a new cluster-model women’s refuge in Bendigo, which will house six families at any one time and have support staff on site. 

The state government has committed to building more core and cluster models throughout Victoria. 

“The other issue is around immediate additional support for support services and counselling,” Ms Oberin said.

“We have been saying for a long time that the front line needs to be strengthened and supported.”

She hoped some of the funding would be directed to the service’s counselling waiting lists to help meet growing demand.

“More and more women are coming to us for counselling and support – some of them end up referred to our case management program,” she said.

Ultimately, she hoped no woman or child that sought help for family violence in Victoria would be turned away.

“That when they seek help they get the specialist help they need,” she said. 

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.