Combatting domestic violence

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACTION:

FEDERAL FUNDING:

* $100 million federal package announced in September includes:

- $36.5 million over three years to train frontline employees, including police, social and community workers and medical staff

- $20 million has been dedicated to helping indigenous women and communities

- $17 million for home security of women who are victims of DV

- $15 million to increase access to legal support

- $3.6 million for a Cross Border Domestic Violence Intelligence Unit monitoring those moving across WA, SA and NT

- Funding to provide 20,000 phones with pre-paid credit

- Increased funding to 1800 RESPECT helpline and counselling service and the MensLine service aims at preventing reoffending.

STATE FUNDING:

* Tasmania announced $25 million for rapid rehousing, police training, perpetrator programs and a respectful relationships school scheme

* NSW launched a $60 million protection scheme, including a DV police team targeting offenders rather than just victim support

* QLD announced $5.1 million in funding for a DV helpline

* Victoria set aside $81.3 million in its 2015-16 budget to support victims and also established a Royal Commission into Family Violence, due to report in 2016.

COST:

* The cost of domestic violence is expected to reach $15.6 billion in six years according to estimates by Deloitte Access Economics.

CUTS:

* National Association of Community Legal Centres has expressed concern over a planned 30 per cent cut to funding from 2017

* In Perth Specialist domestic violence police numbers have been cut in half since last year, leaving just 13 full-time officers making up Victim Support Units, responsibility falling to regular police.

LAWS:

* A register, similar to sex offenders, for domestic violence has been suggested by the South Australian government.

* The nationalising of domestic violence orders has been agreed by federal government and is awaiting approval by COAG. It will mean all states and territories will recognise a DVO when it is made, regardless of jurisdiction.

* QLD introduced heavier penalties and recording for DV offenders and established the Death Review Panel aimed at recognising gaps in services.

* QLD is also trialling a domestic violence court.

LEAVE:

* QLD government has introduced 10 days of extra leave for public servants suffering from domestic violence.

* Federal Opposition leader Bill Shorten has pledged to legislate for five days of annual leave for DV victims nationally.

* SA government has announced an additional 15 days for public servants.

* National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.