$3m per year boost for Qld sexual assault services and women’s health and wellbeing services

• An additional $3 million per annum ongoing will be provided to 32 sexual assault services and women’s health and wellbeing services from 1 January 2024.
• This uplift is on top of the $8 million over four years to meet the growing demand for these services following the Commission of Inquiry into Forensic DNA Testing.

Making sure that victim-survivors of sexual assault can access specialist support is crucial in their recovery.

The Palaszczuk Government is continuing to invest in services that put the needs of victims first.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D’Ath announced the new $3 million per year funding at the Centre Against Domestic Abuse in Caboolture, which will receive $113,000 in extra funding each year for their sexual assault services across the Moreton Bay region.

This is in addition to the $82,000 per year previously provided that is now being made ongoing.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics Personal Safety Survey found one in five women and one in 16 men surveyed had experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.

Sexual assault is one of the most under reported crimes, with national statistics finding that 92 per cent of women who experienced sexual assault did not report the incident to police.

With the conversation around sexual assault increasing, there has also been a growing demand on Queensland’s sexual assault services.

The new funding will give services the extra resources they need to provide more specialist, wrap around support for victim-survivors of sexual assault.

Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D’Ath:

“We know that women are disproportionately affected as victims of sexual assault and it remains one of the most under reported crimes.

“While it’s good to see more victim-survivors coming forward and reporting sexual assault – this places increased pressure on our frontline sexual assault services.

“That’s why I’m so pleased to be able to provide a further funding boost for our dedicated and hardworking services.

“The Palaszczuk Government has increased funding for sexual assault services and women’s health and wellbeing services by 153 per cent since 2019 and we will continue to support our specialist services so that women can access appropriate support.”

Quotes attributable to Acting CEO of CADA, Sue van Hoppe:

“CADA is grateful for the generous support and to be chosen as one of the 32 organisations in Queensland to receive this ongoing additional core funding from the Palaszczuk Government.

“These funds are more than just a financial contribution but symbolise a collective commitment to healing, justice and the empowerment of survivors. As the awareness around sexual assault continues to grow, there has been an increase in the demand for our services.

“This support will assist CADA to sustain ongoing service to the community, to provide care, resources and the support they deserve. Together, we are making an impact in the journey towards a safer and more compassionate world for survivors of sexual assault. We thank the Palaszczuk Government for standing alongside us in this critical endeavour.”

ENDS