A 40 per cent funding top-up has been announced for the domestic violence helpline 1800RESPECT. Photo: File.
The government has used the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to announce a 40 per cent funding boost for the domestic violence helpline 1800RESPECT.
An additional $41.8 million has been funnelled into the service, bringing total funding to $146.8 million until 30 June 2027.
The increased budget from 2026 to 2027 will help the service meet rising demand without delays.
Announcing the extra money on Tuesday (25 November), Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said 1800RESPECT has revolutionised the way women experiencing violence take the first step to get help and begin the journey of recovery.
“At the moment, over 92 per cent of calls are answered by a counsellor within 20 seconds, so we’re doing well, but we know that demand continues to increase and we want to keep up with that increasing demand,” she said.
“We have to acknowledge success when we see it, but do we think we have done enough? Not ever.
“Not while there is one victim of family domestic or sexual violence will this government rest.”
Since its inception in 2010, 1800RESPECT has seen a 3000 per cent increase in contacts with the service from people seeking help.
“It’s a good thing that more people are identifying signs of violence and seeking help,” Ms Plibersek said.
“This announcement means that 1800RESPECT can keep providing this vital service to everyone who contacts them, including victims of violence and family and friends who want to support them.
“There is more work to do, but record funding for frontline services, paid domestic violence leave, making the Leaving Violence Program permanent, housing and legal support for women escaping violence and programs to stop the violence at the start are making a life-changing difference.”
The funding injection is also timed to precede the final women’s ministers meeting in Canberra, which is being held this Friday.
At that gathering, ministers from the Commonwealth, states and territories will respond to the rapid review into preventing violence against women and children, which was led by Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin in 2024.
Last financial year, 1800RESPECT received more than 342,000 calls, video calls, online chats and texts, and demand is expected to increase.
In recent years, the helpline launched new on-demand video counselling and SMS capabilities to empower victim-survivors to seek support via the medium that best suits their needs.
Since the SMS channel launched in late 2023, the channel has been used more than 25,000 times.
Since the video channel launched in early 2024, 1800RESPECT has received more than 900 calls from people seeking support.
Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said a growing number of Australians understand the signs of family violence and are confident to seek the help they need.
“Services like 1800RESPECT are often the first safe door women can walk through to get help,” Senator Gallagher said.
“This funding boost means more calls, more chats, more texts and more video sessions can be answered when women and their children reach out for help.
“We know that not everyone feels safe picking up the phone. The expansion of SMS and video counselling means women can seek support in the safest way for them.”
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley spoke in the House of Representatives to offer the Coalition’s support for the extra funding.
She referred to her own reading out in parliament on Monday, the names of 74 women who lost their lives in the last 12 months due to domestic violence.
“We need to pause every single time this happens because every single one of those lives is precious,” she said.
