On Wednesday, the federal government revealed plans to allocate $925.2 million over five years towards the establishment of the Leaving Violence Program (LVP), a program designed to assist victim-survivors of violence in leaving abusive relationships. This funding will not only support the implementation of a permanent program but also cover the operational costs of the services running under the LVP umbrella.
Financial insecurity often acts as a barrier for individuals seeking to leave violent relationships, and the LVP aims to address this issue by providing financial support, safety evaluations, and referrals to necessary support services. The initiative intends to offer victim-survivors up to $5,000 in aid, split between $1,500 in cash and $3,500 loaded onto a pre-paid card for necessary goods and services.
The eligibility requirements for those seeking assistance from the Leaving Violence Program have been outlined, with a Department of Social Services spokesperson stating that individuals, regardless of visa status or gender, will be able to access tailored financial support packages. Specifically, the program aims to extend support to temporary visa holders who may have faced challenges in accessing one-off or social service payments when leaving violent situations in the past. A key aspect of the program is recognizing intimate partners as individuals with whom a person shares a close, personal relationship and a living space, regardless of formal marital status.
The program is a continuation and expansion of the Escaping Violence Program (EVP), which was initiated as a pilot by the previous government in October 2021. Under the EVP, individuals leaving violent relationships could receive a one-time payment of up to $5,000, administered through UnitingCare Australia. However, a review highlighted challenges with the pilot, including the difficulty some applicants faced in proving eligibility due to the lack of supporting documentation and the struggles encountered by those without traditional banking access.
In contrast to the pilot program's limitations, the LVP is positioned as a permanent solution, open to a broader scope of individuals in need, and is aimed at streamlining the application process to ensure a more effective and accessible support system. The government is in the process of finalizing the operational details of the program, including selecting a service provider to distribute the financial aid, with the initiative set to start accepting applications in July 2025, upon the conclusion of the EVP pilot.