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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 3 Hansard (7 March) . . Page.. 799 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

the prospect of more abuse or to desperately seek other assistance or a place to live. I think most Canberrans would quite rightly be shocked to know that this is currently the case.

In interpreting the meaning of these statistics, a number of significant trends were identified. Clearly, there has been a significant increase in the demand for services in the past year. In the 1999-2000 financial year the number of women accommodated increased by close to 30 per cent. Incidentally, I have recently been advised in discussions with the Magistrates Court that last year there was also a 30 per cent increase in matters before the court involving domestic violence and violence perpetrated against women in the home. The coincidence of statistics is quite interesting, in that last year the number of women accommodated by Toora-I am using just this one service as representative of the services provided in Canberra-increased by 30 per cent and in that same period the number of matters involving domestic violence that came before the Magistrates Court also increased by 30 per cent.

The complexity of client need and numbers of women with complex needs are increasing. To illustrate exactly what it means to be a client with complex needs, I will later address a couple of case studies. The number of young women accessing the service has increased significantly. The number of critical incidents on the premises has increased from seven (including one overdose in 1998-1999) to 16 (including four overdoses) in the last year. Critical incidents include things like overdoses, instances of serious violence or mental illness. The increase in critical incidents reflects the increasing number of clients with complex needs. These people are the ones who are often pushed into the too-hard basket by other service providers.

Another significant trend identified in the annual report papers is a marked decrease in the availability of other support services. Narrow targeting of service provision has meant that increasing numbers of women are falling through the gaps. These women end up at Toora, contributing to the increasing demand on that service.

Reduced access to public housing has also had a significant impact on exit points for women in crisis accommodation. A lack of appropriate and safe public housing options for single women is a major concern and is causing undue stress on Toora resources as well as distress for women in crisis who are planning to move onto more permanent accommodation. The loss of over 500 single units and the transfer of stock to community housing not accessible by this client group has severely reduced the availability of accommodation for singles.

Contributing also to the financial pressure that Toora and other service providers face is the fact that SAAP services have not received any increase in funding, apart from CPI, for over five years. The implementation of SAAP IV included some growth moneys, but this money is yet to be distributed by the department. The failure to pass on SAAP growth funds has meant that staff have not received a pay rise for five years.

Another factor has been the failure to finalise issues around the implementation of the SACS award. The organisation's commitment to providing rewarding employment and fair remuneration is under threat as a result of this situation. Increasing demand for services is placing pressure on Toora's capacity to maintain existing levels of service provision in the current funding environment.

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