Shoalhaven Women’s Health Centre in Nowra has condemned the federal government for cutting funds to a service used by victims of rape and abuse.
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Manager Tracy Lumb has referred a number of clients, victims of rape and domestic violence, to the 1800 RESPECT hotline.
It is a vital service for women, men and children in the Shoalhaven, and workers like Ms Lumb who said she also calls 1800 RESPECT to manage vicarious trauma experienced in tough days on the job.
“If our client feels vulnerable, especially in the middle of the night, when they might be feeling like life’s bleak, they can call the number for trauma-informed care,” she said.
“Our community has significant domestic violence problems”.
“A lot of times there is shame experienced by people reaching out for support, a lot of victims of rape and domestic violence blame themselves, which cannot be further from the truth.
“We live in a very small town, (the hotline) it’s a way for victims to reach out anonymously and seek support.
“That support gives them strength to carry on and seek more support.”
Calls to 1800 RESPECT have more than doubled since 2010.
Annual reports show up to 40 per cent of calls went unanswered in 2016.
But instead of providing more funding for the service, the government transferred funding to a health insurance company, MHS, that has tendered out the work.
It is understood the service will be timed from October 29, meaning consultants will be asked to wrap up calls at a certain point.
“It is wrong to expect a victim to be able to disclose or feel safe if the call time is limited,” Ms Lumb said.
“It doesn’t acknowledge the courage of a victim to come forward, or acknowledge the work that must be done to keep them well or safe.
“It trivialises the most horrible experience, being sexually assaulted or abused, in many instances, by someone you know.”
In the changeover on October 29, 70 trained counsellors will be made redundant.
“The staff the new service have are less experienced staff working with vulnerable people,” Ms Lumb said.
She has called on Social Services Minister Christian Porter to intervene.
“The new service model is a is betrayal of the women, men and children, who seek support at a time when they are most vulnerable,” Ms Lumb said.
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