Years of physical and emotional abuse from her husband took its toll on Lisa and her two sons.
Rick (Lisa and Rick are not their real names) had become increasingly controlling.
Lisa was forced to ask for money to buy the weekly groceries, clothes and other necessities, and to pay for the boys’ school needs.
Friends had dropped off, confused as to why Lisa had become so distant, although it wasn’t for want of her trying. Rick controlled who Lisa could catch up with, but his paranoia meant that lately she couldn’t see anyone. Aside from an embarrassed wave from the car as she dropped the boys at school, Lisa was alone.
A loud fight one night led neighbours to call police, who removed Rick from the house.
That week a teacher at Lisa’s sons’ school gave her the number of the Salvation Army’s Crossroads Family Violence Service.
She called and met with a case manager that same day to map out a risk assessment and safety plan developed in consultation with local police.
For the third time, Lisa and her boys left the family house with plans not to return until it was safe to do so.
This time, though, motel accommodation was arranged through the Salvos’ Safe at Home program. She was granted an intervention order and Rick was given information for men’s housing and a referral for a behaviour- change service.
With help from her case manager and a financial adviser, Lisa negotiated with her bank to rearrange their joint mortgage and bank accounts.
Garden shrubs were cut back in the family home, outdoor lighting was installed, broken windows and furniture repaired, locks were changed and Lisa was given a personal alarm.
Just four days after making the call, Lisa and her kids returned home and went back to work and school.
Lisa and her sons’ battle with family violence is not an unusual one. In the City of Whittlesea, 41 incidents of family violence are reported to police every week. But funding shortfalls for response services and prevention work means Lisa and her boys are among the lucky ones.
Funding for the Safe at Home program is uncertain beyond June 2015. Its family violence program manager, Karen Hagen, says the program is extremely valuable as it enables women to remain at home and in employment.
Funding through the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness was provided for four years from the state government, but only until mid-next year from the federal government.
The Salvation Army is one of 45 multi-disciplinary agencies that make up the Whittlesea Community Futures Partnership (WCFP), which is seeking federal government support to help reduce the prevalence of family violence, among other aims.
Star Weekly asked federal Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews about whether the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness would be renegotiated and when. No response was received before deadline.
The Whittlesea Community Futures Partnership is fighting for families on the edge.
THE PLEDGE
The City of Whittlesea is one of Victoria’s fastest growing municipalities and its rapid transformation stretches services and infrastructure to the limits. A tipping point has been reached, with families on the edge. The Whittlesea Community Futures Partnership pledges to:
■ Advocate for fairer distribution of resources for the growing communities of the City of Whittlesea to ensure we create liveable communities in Melbourne’s fringe.
■ Work together in reducing the service gaps and improving the life outcomes of City of Whittlesea communities to ensure they are not disadvantaged by where they live.
■ Work in partnership with all levels of the government to support and ensure they fulfil their obligations in building sustainable and liveable communities in the City of Whittlesea.
Northern star Weekly is supporting the initiative.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
You can sign the Fairer Funding petition at www.fairerfunding.com.au, share stories through video and photos on the Fairer Funding Facebook page about how a lack of services affects you, and check the campaign’s progress on Twitter by following @fairerfunding.
OUR STORIES
Family violence: Whittlesea unit to tackle rising incidents
Whittlesea community groups fight for a fair go
Whittlesea youth foyer plan wins Mission backing
Northern Star Weekly also welcomes your stories – emaillcottee@starweekly.com.au.
