Answers to Questions

Domestic Violence

In reply to the Hon. C. BONAROS (28 April 2020).

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services): I have been advised:

SAPOL is regularly visiting high-risk offenders and vulnerable families during COVID-19 to ensure they have access to the services and support they need and that their risk is not increased during the restriction period.

Specialist domestic and family violence services funded by the Department of Human Services (DHS) are continuing to provide services and to support known at-risk individuals and families. Some services have altered their operations to offer support to victims and survivors safely. Particular services are making contact more regularly with families and perpetrators they work with, to provide an additional line of sight on perpetrators and keep their families safe.

In terms of at-risk children, in response to the pandemic, DHS brought forward the establishment of ten Child and Family Safety Networks across South Australia, to complement Child and Family Referral and Advice Networks (CFARNS) already operating in the metropolitan area. These are meeting regularly to share information and resources.

In addition, a single point of entry via a centralised triage team has also been established, enabling key stakeholders to refer vulnerable children and families directly for support. Through the Child and Family Support Services, home visiting has continued to vulnerable children and families, adopting protocols approved by SA Health.

DHS, in partnership with key stakeholders, also rapidly introduced a range of other strategies to support vulnerable families, including school holiday programs for at-risk children and young people; emergency food and financial assistance, including packages specifically provided for at-risk families; and webinars to support parents and carers during COVID-19.

We will continue to respond flexibly to the unfolding circumstances presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to the needs of vulnerable women, children and families.