The recently announced Leaving Violence Program (LVP) by the federal government allocates nearly $1 billion towards establishing a program to assist victim-survivors of violence who are seeking to escape from abusive partners. The initiative will provide financial support, safety assessments, and referrals to help individuals in violent relationships find pathways to safety and security. Financial instability is often a significant barrier for victim-survivors trying to leave abusive relationships, making it crucial for them to have access to essential resources and support.
The program's eligibility criteria aim to be inclusive, allowing victim-survivors, regardless of visa status or gender, to access personalized financial support packages. This means that even temporary visa holders, who previously faced challenges in accessing one-off payments or social services when leaving violent situations, are now eligible for assistance. An intimate partner is defined as someone with whom an individual shares a close, personal relationship, identifies as being part of a couple, and shares a living space. The LVP will provide up to $5,000 in financial assistance to victim-survivors, with $1,500 in cash and $3,500 on a pre-paid card for goods and services.
The government is in the process of finalizing the operational details of the program, including selecting a service provider through an open and competitive selection process. The designated service provider will need to have expertise in family, domestic, and sexual violence support to effectively administer the payments and ensure that victim-survivors receive the necessary assistance. The LVP builds on the previous Escaping Violence Program (EVP) pilot, which provided a one-off payment of up to $5,000 to individuals leaving abusive relationships. However, the EVP faced challenges such as difficulties in establishing eligibility and issues with proving financial hardship, resulting in a significant number of applicants being unsuccessful in securing the payment.
The government decided to transition from the EVP pilot to the permanent LVP following a review that identified areas for improvement. Changes were made to enhance eligibility criteria, address operational shortcomings, and ensure a more effective and sustainable support system for victim-survivors of violence. While the EVP will cease after July 2025, the LVP is scheduled to begin accepting applications at that time, offering a more comprehensive and long-term solution to assist those fleeing from abusive environments.