Increasing demand for family violence support
May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, a time to reflect on the many forms violence can take, including coercive control, and the reality that it affects people across all socio‑economic groups.
While specialist services continue to respond, supported by State and Federal Government, it is critical that every Tasmanian sends a clear message that violence in our communities will not be tolerated.
Family violence support services are experiencing sustained and alarming demand across Tasmania – CatholicCare Tasmania’s Safe Choices family violence service has seen a 73 per cent increase in demand over the past three years.
In 2025, SafeChoices supported 878 Tasmanians to break the cycle of family violence. Already this year, more than 767 people have sought assistance to escape a violent partner or to rebuild safety after leaving. This equates to an average of more than 60 Tasmanians each month reaching out for help. This surge is not isolated. It is being felt across multiple programs, impacting families, young people and children, and placing increasing pressure on services supporting the broader community.
In the work we do, we see the frighteningly common and critically dangerous impacts of family violence on those we support. Victim-survivors demonstrate strength, resilience and incredible determination. I am privileged to observe the dedication and focus of our teams in how they respond.
We know that it takes on average seven times for a victim survivor to leave a violent relationship. This is why responses must extend beyond crisis intervention alone. Ongoing case management, counselling and coordinated support are critical in helping people stabilise, heal, and rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
Now, let’s add another layer. Women with a disability and their children face heightened risk and more barriers to safety. One in three women with a disability reports experiencing violence by a partner since the age of 15. They are almost twice as likely to experience physical or sexual violence within a year of living with a partner. We also know violence against women with a disability is significantly under-reported, further limiting their access to support.
Last year, the Local Support Coordinator response within Safe Choices provided specialised support to 131 Tasmanian women with disability experiencing family violence. These women face additional challenges. They may be reliant on and can be isolated by the perpetrator, who is also their carer. The service system for people with a disability is fragmented, with support across multiple systems and providers. There is limited practical specialist support for women with a disability experiencing family violence. Without ongoing funding, these exceptionally vulnerable individuals and families are often left isolated, alone and unable to break the cycle.
We must continue to deliver services that address these gaps through individualised practical support, safety planning and integrated case management across housing, health, disability and justice systems. We must also continue to advocate for sustained funding so women with a disability experiencing family violence are not left behind.
By Julia Mangan, CEO, CatholicCare Tasmania
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Increasing demand for family violence support
May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, a time to reflect on the many forms violence can take, including coercive control, and the reality that it affects people across all socio‑economic groups.
While specialist services continue to respond, supported by State and Federal Government, it is critical that every Tasmanian sends a clear message that violence in our communities will not be tolerated.
Family violence support services are experiencing sustained and alarming demand across Tasmania – CatholicCare Tasmania’s Safe Choices family violence service has seen a 73 per cent increase in demand over the past three years.
In 2025, SafeChoices supported 878 Tasmanians to break the cycle of family violence. Already this year, more than 767 people have sought assistance to escape a violent partner or to rebuild safety after leaving. This equates to an average of more than 60 Tasmanians each month reaching out for help. This surge is not isolated. It is being felt across multiple programs, impacting families, young people and children, and placing increasing pressure on services supporting the broader community.
In the work we do, we see the frighteningly common and critically dangerous impacts of family violence on those we support. Victim-survivors demonstrate strength, resilience and incredible determination. I am privileged to observe the dedication and focus of our teams in how they respond.
We know that it takes on average seven times for a victim survivor to leave a violent relationship. This is why responses must extend beyond crisis intervention alone. Ongoing case management, counselling and coordinated support are critical in helping people stabilise, heal, and rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
Now, let’s add another layer. Women with a disability and their children face heightened risk and more barriers to safety. One in three women with a disability reports experiencing violence by a partner since the age of 15. They are almost twice as likely to experience physical or sexual violence within a year of living with a partner. We also know violence against women with a disability is significantly under-reported, further limiting their access to support.
Last year, the Local Support Coordinator response within Safe Choices provided specialised support to 131 Tasmanian women with disability experiencing family violence. These women face additional challenges. They may be reliant on and can be isolated by the perpetrator, who is also their carer. The service system for people with a disability is fragmented, with support across multiple systems and providers. There is limited practical specialist support for women with a disability experiencing family violence. Without ongoing funding, these exceptionally vulnerable individuals and families are often left isolated, alone and unable to break the cycle.
We must continue to deliver services that address these gaps through individualised practical support, safety planning and integrated case management across housing, health, disability and justice systems. We must also continue to advocate for sustained funding so women with a disability experiencing family violence are not left behind.
By Julia Mangan, CEO, CatholicCare Tasmania
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