MEMBER for Murray Plains Peter Walsh says “too many” women who are feeling domestic violence have nowhere to run or safely hide in the electorate.
Mr Walsh asked Housing Minister Richard Wynne why there was no so safe social housing available for them to make their escape.
He claimed Victoria’s ongoing lockdowns contributed to a 12.6 per cent and 7.3 per cent spike in domestic violence in two of the shires in Murray Plains.
“In Swan Hill and Campaspe we have had 1460 incidents – that’s four cases per day,” Mr Walsh said.
“My office has recently dealt with one case where a woman fled with her young daughter only to find herself trapped in a world of indifference, forcing her back to the home she had just fled.
“But the violence only got worse and she ran again.
“She retreated to a caravan park as a temporary solution, and six months later was still there, but under threat of eviction as she had overstayed her welcome.
“She had lost her job while trying to find somewhere safe for the two of them, because she valued their security above employment.
“How, in our society, can this be seen as anything other than disgraceful and devastating?”
Mr Walsh said it fell to his office to make calls to the “caring owners” of a local real estate business “to finally get her a property in a regional market where it is increasingly cheaper to buy than rent”.
“Unfortunately, we can’t pull that off on our own for every sad case that has become a local statistic, but surely, minister, you can. Because that’s your job.
“That’s the role of a government and the relevant department.
“These women, and their children, are now at their most vulnerable.
“All the research, all the statistics, will tell you when they finally get the courage to go, that is the time the violence will reach a new peak.
“Every week at least one of them will die at the hands of a partner, or ex-partner.”
Mr Walsh said despite being given “priority” by the housing department, six months later the woman was still “trapped in their netherworld and becoming increasingly despairing”.
People who need urgent help because of sexual assault, domestic or family violence should call 000.
Support services are available through The Orange Door, 1800 290 943, or Mallee Sexual Assault Unit and Domestic Violence Service, 5025 5400.
