Central West Lifeline chief executive officer Stephanie Robinson said the Federal governments $14.9 million interest free loan announcement will help women experiencing family and domestic violence in the region. The Federal government announced the Good Shepherd Microfinances No Interest Loan Scheme on Tuesday to help up to 45,000 victims in accessing finance for relocation, essential household items, rental bonds and debt consolidation. Ms Robinson said women can also approach the Commonwealth Bank and NAB Bank, which run similar domestic and family violence assistance programs. “The Federal government announcement is a good thing and any support in this area is a welcome one,” Ms Robinson said. “Our statistics of domestic violence in the Central West are very concerning, especially Orange which has high domestic violence rate.” Central West, and Far West and Orana are among the top five regions with highest rates of domestic violence incidents in the state. Read also: Federal inquiry into freedom of speech at universities unnecessary: CSU Vice-Chancellor Patients give thumbs up for Lithgow Hospitals quiet environment ITS NOT OVER YET: Strong message to MPs ahead of drought debate The NSW government and the Federal government had announced a series of steps to help victims of domestic violence in the last few months. The NSW government decided to give 10 days paid domestic violence leave for public sector employees in the state and also amended laws to allow victims of domestic violence to immediately break tenancy agreement without any penalty. Ms Robinson said the NSW governments domestic and family violence prevention and early intervention strategy 2017-2021 has begun to show results. “It takes time to change people behaviour. For instance, people took time to adjust to no-smoking in public places. It was unthinkable a couple of years ago,” she said. “Community should also take up the issue of domestic violence rather than keeping it behind doors and making it a personal affair.” Federal Minister for Women, Kelly ODwyer, said family and domestic violence can have a significant impact on womens long-term economic security. "Many women never recover from the financial setback of establishing a new home, and for many more women the daunting costs can discourage them from leaving an abusive relationship," she said. "The No Interest Loan Scheme will provide a safe and affordable alternative to high-cost finance options, such as payday loans that can compound womens financial distress, and will provide the essential help vulnerable women need to take control of their lives and live in safety." Women receiving these loans will have access to a specialist loan caseworker to help them regain control of their finances.

Central West Lifeline chief executive officer Stephanie Robinson said the Federal governments $14.9 million interest free loan announcement will help women experiencing family and domestic violence in the region.

The Federal government announced the Good Shepherd Microfinances No Interest Loan Scheme on Tuesday to help up to 45,000 victims in accessing finance for relocation, essential household items, rental bonds and debt consolidation.

Ms Robinson said women can also approach the Commonwealth Bank and NAB Bank, which run similar domestic and family violence assistance programs.

“The Federal government announcement is a good thing and any support in this area is a welcome one,” Ms Robinson said.

“Our statistics of domestic violence in the Central West are very concerning, especially Orange which has high domestic violence rate.”

Central West, and Far West and Orana are among the top five regions with highest rates of domestic violence incidents in the state.

Read also:

The NSW government and the Federal government had announced a series of steps to help victims of domestic violence in the last few months.

Ms Robinson said the NSW governments domestic and family violence prevention and early intervention strategy 2017-2021 has begun to show results.

“It takes time to change people behaviour. For instance, people took time to adjust to no-smoking in public places. It was unthinkable a couple of years ago,” she said.

“Community should also take up the issue of domestic violence rather than keeping it behind doors and making it a personal affair.”

Federal Minister for Women, Kelly ODwyer, said family and domestic violence can have a significant impact on womens long-term economic security.

"Many women never recover from the financial setback of establishing a new home, and for many more women the daunting costs can discourage them from leaving an abusive relationship," she said.

"The No Interest Loan Scheme will provide a safe and affordable alternative to high-cost finance options, such as payday loans that can compound womens financial distress, and will provide the essential help vulnerable women need to take control of their lives and live in safety."

Women receiving these loans will have access to a specialist loan caseworker to help them regain control of their finances.

This story Interest free loans announced for domestic violence victims in Central West first appeared on Western Advocate.

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