Continuing their commitment to assist local people experiencing disadvantage, EastLink has donated $100,000 to Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre.
This brings EastLink’s total for donations during 2021 to $500,000.
As the unprecedented impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the Victorian community continues, one area of concern has been the increase in reports of family violence and in the types of violence being used. In the last year, Victoria Police responded to over 92,000 family incidents or, one incident every six minutes.
EastLink corporate affairs manager Doug Spencer-Roy said, “EastLink recognises that some local people living in the EastLink corridor have been directly affected and are experiencing family violence.”
Mr Spencer-Roy said, “To assist local people experiencing family violence during these difficult times, EastLink has donated $100,000 to Safe Steps.”
Safe Steps is Victoria’s 24/7 family violence response centre, providing specialist support services for anyone in Victoria who is experiencing family violence.
Safe Steps welcomed EastLink’s initiative in providing assistance to community service providers to support people during these difficult times.
Safe Steps CEO Rita Butera said, “It continues to be such a challenging time for so many women and children following the COVID restrictions, and we’re seeing an increase in the volume of calls from victim survivors seeking help.”
“It is also encouraging to see an increase in calls from family and friends who are seeking advice on helping loved ones and people they care about,” she said.
“This support from EastLink will help us to continue to provide our service 24/7 at times of crisis.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing or afraid of family and domestic violence, please call Safe Steps for support on 1800 015 188 (24 hours / 7 days a week) or visit safesteps.org.au.
If you are concerned about your behaviour, please call the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
About Safe Steps
Safe Steps is Victoria’s 24/7 family violence response centre.
Safe Steps provides specialist support services for anyone in Victoria who is experiencing or afraid of family violence, including:
- Information and referral
- Crisis response
- Specialist family violence risk assessment
- Safety planning
- Access to supported crisis accommodation.
About EastLink www.eastlink.com.au
EastLink is the 39 kilometre tollway in Melbourne’s east, connecting the Eastern, Monash, Frankston and Peninsula Link freeways. EastLink is Melbourne’s fastest and safest freeway.
EastLink is a leader in transport sustainability. In 2020, the internationally recognised GRESB Infrastructure Assessment awarded EastLink the top 5 Star sustainability rating for ESG performance for the fifth consecutive year. EastLink was ranked 27th globally out of the 406 infrastructure assets of all types that were assessed by GRESB. In the motorways (maintenance & operations) category, EastLink was ranked second in the world.
EastLink has now donated a total of $500,000 to community service providers during 2021:
- January 2021: $100,000 donation to Peninsula Community Legal Centre
- February 2021: $100,000 donation to Eastern Community Legal Centre
- March 2021: $100,000 donation to EACH for Eastern Financial Counselling Services
- April 2021: $100,000 donation to Beyond Blue
- May 2021: $100,000 donation to Safe Steps
