$1m boost for campaign against Mandurah and Peel domestic violence

Domestic violence minister Simone McGurk and Mandurah MP David Templeman announced the funding on Friday as part of a $7 million boost for family and domestic violence counselling, advocacy and support services throughout WA this financial year, including $1.36 million for Pat Thomas House.

Allambee Counselling manager Nicci Lambert said the funding, which would be paid over four years, would make a massive difference to women and children in the region.

“We know the rates of violence are really high here,” she said.

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“The community is really concerned about it, the community works really hard together around a range of initiatives to try to bring in end to violence in the region.

“Counselling is such a vital part of the process of stopping violence in the future, so it’s not just about healing the trauma that people have experienced, but it’s also about breaking down that inter-generational cycle of violence.”

Ms McGurk said the Peel region was one of WA’s domestic violence “hotspots”.

“Unfortunately, WA has really high levels of DV, the second highest in the country, second only to the Northern Territory,” she said.

“Unfortunately, Peel is really highly represented in those stats.

“We have to make sure there are services there for people who are experiencing that, unfortunately theya are largely women and their children.”

Mandurah MP David Templeman welcomed the delivery of the money and said he hoped it would send a message to the community that domestic violence is unacceptable.

He said he was not proud of the levels of domestic violence in Mandurah.

“I am not proud that we have such a terrible statistic about family and domestic violence, but this is going to go a long way towards addressing those interventions that are needed, the support and counselling services that are needed,” he said.

“It will also continue to send a message to the wider community that this is unacceptable. Domestic violence is unacceptable.”

Police statistics revealed in May showed reports of domestic violence including assaults had surged in the Peel with police attending seven incidents a day across the region including five a day in the City of Mandurah alone.

The Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline (9223 1188 or freecall 1800 007 339) is a statewide, 24-hour service. It provides support for women experiencing family and domestic violence. 

1800RESPECT (freecall 1800 737 732) is a national online sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service.