Ensuring victim-survivors of family and sexual violence receive immediate and integrated support in a safe place is a key priority of the Tasmanian Liberal Government.
To provide a best-practice sexual and family violence response that puts victim-survivors at the centre, the Government is providing $15.1 million to establish new “Arch centres” in the North and South of the State.
These centres will offer immediate support and safety services to victim-survivors, including counselling and specialist police investigators at the one location.
The two new centres will be located in the city centres of Launceston (Cameron St) and Hobart (Victoria St) and will be accessible to all.
Minster for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, said the new centres will be called “Arch”, representing structured and coordinated support.
“The name “Arch” and its logo have been chosen following a recent community survey,” Minister Ellis said.
“At the centres, there will be no marked police cars, no police uniforms, and no requirement for a victim-survivor to speak with police until, and only if, they are ready.
“The environment will be warm and welcoming. When a victim-survivor attends a centre, they will receive coordinated, trauma-informed care. They will be heard and believed.
“The project team has been working hard to progress this project as a priority so that we have these centres available in 2023.”
Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Jo Palmer, said:
“Our vision is for a Tasmania where everyone is safe, equal and respected, and our homes and communities are free from family and sexual violence,” Minister Palmer said.
“As a Government, we are making changes to help empower victim-survivors to come forward and seek help, and also to work towards eliminating violence of any form.
“Living free from violence is everyone’s right.”
The centres will recognise the intersection between sexual and family violence, together with expanding the capabilities and resourcing of the Safe Families Coordination Unit to include sexual violence more broadly, including sexual violence against children.
Work is well underway and has been developed in conjunction with the Government’s third Family and Sexual Violence Action Plan, Survivors at the Centre which was launched last week.
If you or someone you know is impacted by family violence:
Call the Safe at Home Family Violence Response and Referral Line on 1800 633 937.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual violence:
Call the Statewide Sexual Assault Crisis Line on 1800 697 877.
In an emergency, always call 000.
For more information, visit www.1800respect.org.au or www.safefromviolence.tas.gov.au.
More Media Releases from Felix Ellis
More Media Releases from the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management