FAMILY violence perpetrators take note: the Victorian Government is taking things seriously when it comes to protecting our state’s most vulnerable.

A $572 million package announced on Wednesday will mean Victorians fleeing family violence will have a roof over their heads and the help they need to escape harm and rebuild their lives.

The package, in response to the Royal Commission’s recommendations, includes funding for more housing and crisis refuges, counsellors, prevention programs and support for children who are victims of family violence.

And the state government is adamant this funding over two years will start to be delivered now.

It must be immediate. There can be no more victims of family violence.

Those who have died at the hands of family violence perpetrators are more than just a statistic.

And their deaths should not be in vain.

The response by the Victorian Government to the Royal Commission’s recommendations must be commended, as it will deliver 65 of the commission’s most urgent recommendations.

It is just the start of a longer term process to change the attitudes towards women and fix the system.

Apart from funding for vital services such as crisis housing and behavioural change programs, what is important is the state government seems to be acting on education at the grass roots level … our young people.

Gearing funding towards schools to drive positive change in respectful relationships is vital if this scourge on our community is to stop.

The state government should be commended on the urgency it has placed on funding. Family violence is an issue which just can’t wait and urgent action is needed to help save lives.

Hopefully Wednesday’s announcement is just the beginning, because it is vitally important that more work is done on the new system to prevent family violence, protect the vulnerable and punish the guilty.

The state government on Wednesday gave an assurance that this was just the beginning, admitting there was a lot more work to do to build a new system that prevents family violence.

It would be wonderful to live in a world where family violence did not exist. This is just the first step. Watch this space.