Wednesday, 21 September 2022

 Ms MAXWELL (Northern Victoria) (12:52): (1990) My constituency question is to the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, and it is about the harmful sexual behaviours program. This is a voluntary therapeutic service for children and young people aged five to 17 years. Referrals can be made directly from families, community organisations, police, health professionals, schools, government departments, statutory authorities and court orders. We recently debated important consent laws in this Parliament, and education programs are key to ensure there is the best understanding of lawful and safe behaviours. Over three years funding for this program has only increased minimally, despite the data reflecting a clear need, with a 400 per cent increase in demand for the program. The Centre Against Violence has delivered the program for 116 young people in the last year, 87 more than three years ago, but their funding meets less than a fifth of this need. Additional investment could provide some preventative psychoeducational presentations to schools and youth and sports groups, so my question is: will the government commit more funding to this important program?