Former Australian of the Year Rosie Batty will be heading up a brand new family violence survivors council in Victoria.
Premier Daniel Andrews has already promised $10 million towards family violence services and agencies, including counselling, crisis accommodation and behaviour change programs.
Andrews says that the council, named the ‘Victims Survivors Advisory Council’, will have “a direct say”, so survivors have a voice in the development of new and existing services.
The absolute importance of survivors having a voice and sharing their lived experiences is paramount in tackling such an ingrained issue, and this is such an excellent step. And we can think of no one better than national hero Rosie Batty to lead such an significant group.
The Victorian state government is waiting for the Royal Commission to hand in its report on family violence, which will happen on March 29.
Nice one, Victoria. Nice one, Rosie!
Source: The Age.
Photo: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty.
