Funding for Relationships Australia

29/10/96

Family and Children's Services has agreed to fund Relationships Australia to provide an adult violence counselling service until June, 1998.

Family and Children's Services Minister Cheryl Edwardes announced today that the department had signed an agreement with the service which guaranteed it $80,670 a year until June 30, 1998.

Mrs Edwardes said the service would provide counselling and support for perpetrators and victims of spouse abuse.

"The service will help prevent violence and abuse in families and will promote safe and supportive relationships," she said.

"The aim is to reduce the incidence of spouse abuse for those people attending the counselling.

"The counselling will also help the perpetrators recognise the effects of the abuse on their partners and accept responsibility for their violence."

Mrs Edwardes said the service would provide group counselling sessions in Midland, Fremantle and East Victoria Park according to demand.

She said she believed the agreement marked the continuation of a good relationship which would benefit the local community.

This agreement for funding of services would enable the agency to provide programs and courses to meet the needs of Western Australians.

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote 421 7777