Disability funding to help more women escape family violence and stay safe

Posted on by safesteps

Woman and children with disabilities who are experiencing family violence will continue to receive specialist crisis support from safe steps thanks to a six-month extension of our specialist disability program.

safe steps received funding to continue The Disability Family Violence Crisis Response Initiative (DFVCRI) until the end of December 2020.

The program assists women and children with a disability who are experiencing family violence to access the services and supports they need to stay safe, quickly.

We understand that women and children with disabilities often face extra barriers to escaping family violence and becoming safe.

The team at safe steps is here to support victim-survivors of family violence living with a disability or who have disability needs (physical, mental health, intellectual, or emotional, including temporary conditions and due to family violence). Carers and parents of a child with a disability can also access support.

How to contact safe steps for help

Call safe steps 24/7 on 1800 015 188 or email safesteps@safesteps.org.au.

You can also chat to us online between 9am and 9pm, Monday to Friday.

We will help you explore your options, create a safety plan, and put in place safety measures to help reduce risk, including access to aids, support or equipment.

Our specialist Family Violence Disability Workers will work with you to develop a personalised plan to meet your specific disability needs.

We can also help you access funding to cover the costs of items such as:

  • Personal support workers and carers 
  • Disability aids – mobility walkers, wheelchairs 
  • Accessible transport options, and more.

Our support workers will also provide information and referrals to other support services that are relevant to you.

Information for service providers

Service providers and professionals can contact safe steps Specialist Family Violence Disability Liaison Officers to access brokerage assistance for their clients, as well as secondary consultations and information regarding the Disability Family Violence Crisis Response Initiative.

Our workers have extensive experience in working with those with a disability as well as those experiencing family violence. This combination of specialist knowledge and experience ensures a tailored response for your clients.

We can also offer presentations on disability and family violence to meet your teams’ specific needs.

Call 1800 015 188 or email disability@safesteps.org.au Monday to Friday during business hours.