Funds drive change on domestic violence services

29 JUNE 2018: Today I joined Federal Assistant Minister for Children & Families Dr David Gillespie in announcing that the George Street Neighbourhood Centre Association in Mackay had received $187,500 in Federal funding to better serve women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities requiring domestic violence support services.The Safer Pathways for Mackay Women and Children project, led by the Neighbourhood Centre Association, is a group of Mackay-based organisations working in the areas of migrant, domestic violence, sexual assault and women's services. The Safer Pathways for Mackay Women and Children will drive community and sector changes for local women from culturally diverse backgrounds, helping them access much-needed domestic violence services. Through this work, the local community will be able to recognise, respond and refer CALD women to domestic violence services by training community leaders and professionals uniquely placed to reach these local women. Over the next two years, Safer Pathways for Mackay Women and Children will reach out to, and work alongside, local communities to address cultural barriers and provide culturally‑relevant information on this issue.This initiative is part of the Federal Coalition Government’s Safer Pathways for CALD Women community grants program, totalling $1.54 million nationwide from 2017-18 to 2018-19. The George Street Neighbourhood Association is one of eight service providers to receive funding to improve access to support services for CALD women living in regional areas.The Safer Pathways for CALD Women community grants fall under the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022. For further information on the National Plan, visit https://www.dss.gov.au/women/programs-services/reducing-violence/the-national-plan-to-reduce-violence-against-women-and-their-children-2010-2022