DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (14:40): I have a supplementary question. I was not actually asking about raising community awareness. I was asking: what steps are being taken to ensure that women with disabilities can access immediate personal support—that is, assistance with dressing, toileting or showering—so that they can leave an abusive relationship?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (14:41): That was the answer I gave; that is, Families and Communities are working on three different programs, and working with key stakeholder groups to identify all the key areas of concern that need to be addressed to ensure the improvement and protection of women who are facing domestic violence situations or who are at risk of domestic violence situations. That includes prevention, early intervention and then services that are available when people are actually victims of domestic violence. It will be exploring a wide range of issues at those three different levels. That would, obviously, include the support needed by individuals to enable them to remove themselves from a violent situation and to support themselves in alternate accommodation, along with their children.