PETITIONS asking residents to join the call for government funding to support Jenny's Place Domestic Violence Resource Centre will land soon in letterboxes.
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Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp will post the petition inside his newsletter to more 38,000 households in his electorate next week, saying 10,000 signatures on paper were needed for a debate in parliament.
"It beggars belief that the government says they have no money to fund this vital resource, but are happy to splash cash on their own vanity projects," he said.
The Newcastle Herald has previously reported that Jenny's Place receives state government funding for its accommodation and outreach only.
It relies on donations - and sponsorship that ran out at the end of September - for its resource centre, a specialist service providing long-term support including information, referrals and advocacy.
Jenny's Place manager Marcia Chapman and corporate partnerships specialist Saibre Johnstone met with Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Mark Speakman on October 8.
Ms Chapman said Mr Speakman advised them there were no unallocated funds to meet their request.
She said he told them if the government decided to fund a service similar to the resource centre, it would go to tender and they could apply.
He also told them he would investigate whether any investment could be made. Mr Speakman said he "appreciated" the chance to hear about their work and thanked them for their "ongoing efforts".
Ms Chapman said donations would keep the service running for the next few months, but it needed ongoing support.
She said the service had already had to reduce staff hours and was operating with the equivalent of one full-time position, when it needed at least double that.
"We're close to the time when someone is going to make contact and we're not going to be able to see them when they want - it could be weeks. Staff are fearful for their clients' safety if they don't get support in time."
They've asked corporations to make donations or implement a workplace giving program for the service.
Details: https://www.jennysplace.org/
Helen Gregory
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
