Safe and Equal, the peak body for Victorian organisations that specialise in family and gender-based violence across the continuum, has today launched its 2026 Election Platform calling on all political parties and candidates to commit to sustained investment and urgent action to address family and gender-based violence ahead of the November election.
Victoria has led the nation in family and gender-based violence reform over the past decade, building one of Australia's strongest specialist family violence systems. But with police recording 106,430 family violence incidents in 2024–25 – an eight per cent increase on the previous year – continued investment is essential to sustain progress.
The platform outlines four priorities for the next Victorian Government: children and young people, safe housing and long-term recovery, justice and early intervention and sustainable investment in the family and gender-based violence sector.
Safe and Equal is calling for a guaranteed $33 million a year for specialist services for children and young people experiencing family violence, and an additional $12 million annually over five years for ten multidisciplinary demonstration projects to strengthen workforce capability and build evidence about what works.
"At least 40 per cent of the clients that specialist family violence services see are children and young people, who need direct support as victim survivors in their own right," said Safe and Equal CEO Joumanah El-Matrah.
The peak body is also calling for core investment to grow to $554 million per year from 2026–27, delivered through minimum five-year funding commitments. Economic modelling shows this investment would return $2.8 billion in benefits to victim survivors, communities and the Victorian economy – around six times the cost of investment – while helping reduce the $8.9 billion family violence costs Victoria each year.
“An investment of $554 million would deliver $2.8 billion in benefits for victim survivors and the Victorian community, while reducing the $8.9 billion family violence already costs Victoria every year. We’re already paying the price of family violence – this is a smart investment in reducing that cost. This isn’t new spending; it’s investing wisely to reduce a cost we’re already carrying,” said Ms El-Matrah.
"Victim survivors across our state are facing longer wait times for specialist support due to inadequate funding and workforce shortages. The scale of need also reinforces the importance of stopping violence before it happens in the first place. Our workforce is doing incredible, lifesaving work every day. But current funding isn't keeping pace with rising demand, placing increasing pressure on the services and systems that keep people safe. That's dangerous and deeply unsustainable,"
It also recommends a further $20 million per year delivered over a five-year investment cycle focused on preventing violence before it starts – not just responding after it happens, alongside measures to strengthen the workforce through secure jobs, fair pay and professional development.
"This election will determine how Victoria prevents and responds to rising rates of family violence in our community," said Ms El-Matrah."We've done the modelling; we know what's needed. The next government must be bold with their investment and show Victorians they take this issue seriously."
The platform also calls for at least doubling specialist refuge capacity, delivering 83,000 new social housing dwellings for victim survivors over the next 25 years, expanding longer-term recovery supports, investing an additional $20 million in early intervention, strengthening legal assistance, and protecting victim survivors from misidentification as coercive control reforms are implemented.
"It's a tough economic environment for government and Victorians alike, and we know all political parties will be focused on that. However, unaddressed family violence costs billions and places enormous strain on our education, health and justice sectors, and many other public services. It's crucial all candidates and parties make clear exactly what they're offering to meaningfully address this crisis."
"Every person who experiences violence should be able to access the support they need, when they need it, in a way that works for them. That support should remain constant from the point of crisis to recovery and beyond. Unfortunately, that's not the reality for many victim survivors right now," said Ms El-Matrah.
"Family and gender-based violence is preventable and must be a priority for all parties as we approach the 2026 election. We need the incoming Victorian Government not just to maintain the system we've built, but to strengthen it for the future. Fund the family violence system like lives depend on it – because they do."
Safe and Equal's 2026 Election Platform asks:
1. Children and young people
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A guaranteed $33 million a year for specialist services, with an additional $12 million annually over five years for ten multidisciplinary demonstration projects.
2. Safe housing and long-term recovery
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Double specialist refuge capacity and deliver 83,000 new social housing dwellings over 25 years, and invest in longer-term recovery supports.
3. Justice and early intervention
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Invest $20 million in early intervention, strengthen legal assistance and protect victim survivors from misidentification as coercive control reforms are implemented.
4. Sustainable investment in the sector
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Increase core investment for the family violence sector to $554 million per year through minimum five-year funding cycles.
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Invest a further $20 million per year delivered through a dedicated five-year prevention investment stream.
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Strengthen the specialist workforce and system governance, including an independent system monitor, a specialised Family Safety Victoria and lived experience leadership.
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Sustain investment in Safe and Equal's sector leadership, advocacy and workforce development.
View Safe and Equal's 2026 Election Platform here.
About us:
About Safe and Equal:
Safe and Equal is the peak body for Victorian organisations that specialise in family and gender-based violence across the continuum, including primary prevention, early intervention, response and recovery. Our vision is a world where everyone is safe, respected and thriving, living free from family and gender-based violence.
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