Under-funded support services for vulnerable women are struggling to meet demand, according to Women’s Health West chief executive Robyn Gregory.
Urging the state government to pour more money into the prevention of violence against women, Dr Gregory said there was an urgent need to cut long waiting lists for women and children seeking counselling.
A Women’s Health West support worker had been at Sunshine Magistrates Court supporting Melton West mother-of-four Fiona Warzywoda on the day she was allegedly murdered by former partner Craig McDermott.
PICTURE GALLERY: Sunshine vigil for Fiona Warzywoda
“On the day Fiona was killed, we had three women come in seeking assistance within a half-hour period and received numerous calls, including [from] the police,” Dr Gregory said.
“A lack of funding leaves us with increasingly stressed staff and long waiting lists for case management. We do what we can, but we need more staff.”
Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge said violence against women and children was unacceptable.
She said the government invested more than $90 million annually to help change community attitudes, expand family violence prevention initiatives, support women and children who experience violence, and hold perpetrators to account.
There was an 8 per cent increase in assaults in Brimbank between 2011-12 and 2012-13, from 1648 reports to 1791.
Brimbank’s Inspector Chris Gilbert urged men to “stand up” and never turn a blind eye to violence against women.
Speaking at a vigil for Ms Warzywoda in Sunshine last Tuesday, Inspector Gilbert said that while the justice system was “never going to be perfect”, violence of any nature should always be reported.
“Stand up, men,” he said. “It’s quite often the questions we don’t ask that are the ones that are most needed.”
While Inspector Gilbert did not seek to link the two issues, he believed the incident showed that CCTV cameras could play an important role in creating a safe environment in Sunshine’s CBD.
“Hopefully, it will get up [in the future] … it’s not the only solution,” he said. “Our police officers patrolling in high-visibility [jackets] are worth their weight in gold.”
The federal government withdrew funding for CCTV cameras in Clarke Street earlier this year.
Gellibrand MP Tim Watts said he was shocked and saddened by Ms Warzywoda’s death.
He advocated “a holistic approach to public safety in the area, including the increased use of lighting and CCTV”.
Sunshine’s Salvation Army church is accepting donations to help Ms Warzywoda’s children.
» To donate, email: for.fiona@hotmail.com
