Funds for Geraldton Sexual Assault Referral Centre

9/5/97

The Geraldton Sexual Assault Referral Centre has been guaranteed funding to provide counselling for victims of domestic violence and child sexual assault, Family and Children's Services Minister Rhonda Parker and Federal Family Services Minister Judi Moylan announced today.

Mrs Parker said Family and Children's Services would provide $99,288 a year to the organisation for two important support services for families and children.

The services were the Domestic Violence Counselling Service and the Child Sexual Assault Counselling Service.

"It is vital that victims of abuse or assault have access to counselling and support to help them overcome trauma and re-establish their lives," Mrs Parker said.

"The counselling for domestic violence helps individuals and families assess their situation and make informed choices and decisions about the future.

"Counselling is provided by trained counsellors in individual and group sessions and includes telephone counselling and family therapy."

Mrs Moylan said counselling was also provided for children and adolescents who had been abused by a member of their family.

"The impact on whole families of abuse can be very destructive and this service will help families cope with the aftermath and develop strategies to prevent abuse and ensure young people are safe," she said.

"Perpetrators of abuse can also receive counselling to ensure they accept responsibility for their behaviour and change their actions."

Mrs Parker said the funding demonstrated the State Government's commitment to supporting women and children affected by domestic violence and sexual abuse.

The Domestic Violence Counselling Service is expected to be funded until June, 1988 and the Child Sexual Assault Counselling Service is expected to be funded until December 1999.