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One-year payment needed to help escape family violence
['Aug', 'Robyn Wuth', 'Allanah Sciberras', 'Catherine Bouris', 'Andrew Stafford', 'Ashley Darling', 'Shepparton News', 'Bree Harding', 'Callum Farquhar']
Shepparton News Feed
Currently, victim-survivors are entitled to a one-off Leaving Violence Payment of $1500 in cash, $3500 in vouchers, and Centrelink income security payments.
Janine said a safety supplement payment would have helped her leave sooner, because leaving abuse "is not a single moment with a single cost".
Chief executive Terese Edwards said the payment would help women feel less scared to leave, and prevent them returning to their abuser.
"The fear of poverty keeps women and children unsafe and if they leave, poverty often drives them back to abuse," she said.
"Australia's social security system was shaped at a time when violence against women and children was not understood in the way it is today.