Australian government to dedicate $78 million to combat domestic violence, including $60 million in grants over the next three years.
Whether or not you’re a Liberal supporter, the news that the government is dedicating $78 million to combat domestic violence (including $60 million in grants over the next three years) is certainly not to be sniffed at.
In fact, this funding is anticipated to build up to 450 emergency accommodation spots and enable organisations to reach up to 6,500 domestic violence victims every year.
Whilst this may seem like a drop in the ocean with 1 in 6 women (1.6 million) and 1 in 16 men (500,000) across Australia having experienced domestic violence since turning 15, our very own ScoMo has promised it is only the beginning of the funding iceberg, with plenty more to come as a result of intensive consultations with front line workers.
So how did these new sources of funding and promises suddenly materialise?
Truthfully this development has only come about after years of slowly building noise, the emergence of horrifying stories from DV victims such as Rosie Batty and Allison Baden-Clay that shocked Australians to their cores, the seemingly daily media attention; and a intensifying change in culture to the point where we’re now more willing to pay attention to what’s happening next door. The result has been a combination of diverse voices building until… they finally became an unavoidable tsunami of knowledge and demand for action flooding the political corridors of Canberra.
Domestic violence has finally become a mass social issue that can no longer be ignored.
The key voices in this tsunami were those from hundreds of DV and advocacy organisations — and here’s the interesting thing — they weren’t always the big guys with million dollar budgets.
There’s a lesson here for all of us in the non-profit sphere. Large, small or medium; you as a non-profit organisation are cause-driven, and therefore have profound impact potential. You have clients (whether human, flora or fauna) with specific needs. And there’s obviously a problem that urgently needs to be addressed that justifies your existence. Whether it be saving a rainforest, preventing climate change, providing the disadvantaged with basic needs, or educating rural Indigenous children; your work every day is designed to change the world for the better.
But behind your cause’s every-day achievements lurks an extremely important question: what change do you want to see in the world five, ten, twenty, or even fifty years from now? And what role can you play in bringing that change about…or even accelerating it?
As we have seen in the case of this week’s introduction of increased domestic violence funding; voices and thought leadership played a vital part in accelerating society’s response. As a cause — no matter your size — you have a clear, vested interest in adding your voice to the conversation, and in working towards your cause becoming heard.
So how can you do that? It’s actually easier than you think and by no means does it necessitate a drain on already strained budgets! To help you get started on amplifying your voice towards a better world (and possibly increasing your future grant funding options), here’s some easy ideas you could start with:
Increase your media exposure: through doing a media release for all your exciting moments. It helps if you can meet and build a relationship with your local newspaper editor.
Establish your relevancy: by using your social media and blogging powers to link your causes to current affairs, highlighting why your cause is important.
Collaborate and network: with others working in the same sphere and together you’ll create a louder voice than if it was just you alone.
This list is by no means exhaustive — there’s so much more you can do! We can’t wait to see what you do and how your advocacy activities have helped increase your access to grant funding - be sure to share your stories with us at hello@grantd.com.au.
And to all of you brave DV warriors out there, do some well-deserved jumps of joy. Your hard work advocating and making noise together has paid off!
Now get your pens ready and begin by making sure you’re grant ready — we’ve made a worksheet to help you do exactly that which you can find right here. And know for a certainty as a result of this new government funding, millions of Australian voices stand with you ready to end the scourge of domestic violence together.