Coast Shelter has welcomed the recent announcement that women escaping abusive relationships who are living in domestic violence refuges will be offered grants of up to $5,000 to help them back into the workforce.
The money can be used to buy equipment or pay for education and training, transport, childcare and other associated costs.
Coast Shelter CEO, Michael Starr, said the program would be a great support for women escaping domestic and family violence on the Coast.
“Too many times we see women stay in very unsafe situations for themselves and their children because they are unable to secure suitable housing or afford to pay a rental bond, pay removalists or be able to repair or register a car,” Starr said.
“Most women who engage with Coast Shelter’s refuge services have little or no money and no access to bank accounts as the perpetrator exerts total coercive control of the finances, ultimately limiting the options for women to move forward into safe and secure accommodation.
“In 2021 Coast Shelter participated in a similar initiative with immediate financial support with things like rental bonds, car registrations and household items for 24 women escaping domestic violence.
“We know first-hand that without investments in programs like this many women will feel trapped and remain in traumatic, unsafe situations for a lot longer.”
Eligible applicants can register interest until February 21 and Service NSW will accept applications from women on the registration list from February 21-May 2.
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the second phase of the NSW Government’s $10M Return to Work Program would help more than 740 victim-survivors of domestic violence ease back into work.
“This program is about empowering these courageous victim-survivors of domestic violence to enter or re-enter the workforce by providing them with the financial support to secure a job, regain independence and feel optimistic about what their new future holds,” Taylor said.
“We know that some victim-survivors of domestic violence are financially controlled and do not have access to funds.
“These grants will remove key financial barriers to getting a new job, helping alleviate some of the financial pressures of starting again and providing hope for those in a sometimes hopeless situation.”
Eligible women will be supported by Service NSW Return to Work coordinators to develop a Return to Work Plan which sets out the resources that will assist them getting back in the workforce.
Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said it was crucial that victim-survivors feel supported, safe and secure and Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services, Natasha Maclaren-Jones, said the program would help drive down homelessness.
Further information about the RTW Program is available by emailing RTWProgram@facs.nsw.gov.au.
Terry Collins