DV safe house funding
Money will help those in need
MEMBER for Groom John McVeigh believes a $9000 Federal Government grant to a Lifeline Darling Downs domestic violence shelter is a step in the right direction.
Mr McVeigh, speaking alongside Lifeline Darling Downs CEO Derrick Tuffield, said he would take concerns about the prevalence of domestic violence in the city to all three levels of government.
“State government, federal government and I know local government through the Toowoomba Regional Council are vitally interested in supporting those suffering from DV and preventing it going forward,” Mr McVeigh said.
“Do we need more (crisis housing)? Of course we do but that’s where the three levels of government need to pull together.
“We need to get behind these agencies and identify the need for places. I’ll certainly talk to state and local government about that.”
The grant will go towards providing fencing at one of Lifeline’s shelter homes for those fleeing domestic violence.
Lifeline has owned the property for about a year and is upping the security in a bid to keep families safe.
“It is very high, sadly in our community domestic violence is very high,” Lifeline Darling Downs CEO Mr Tuffield said.
“We’re working hard to bring rates down and at this point of time we’re working on many cases.
“If we had 10 more domestic violence safe houses, we could fill them.”
Mr Tuffield said the new fencing would allow for privacy for the two families who could reside in the home and that children would be able to play outside without the fear of them being seen by a domestic violence perpetrator.
“With any kind of domestic violence we deal with … there is always a risk that a DVO will be breached at some time,” Mr Tuffield said.
“It has taken us six months to secure the funding.”