The Federal Government has announced its new, $925 million Leaving Violence Program (LVP).

In an initiative aimed at combating domestic violence, the LVP is being established to provide financial support to victim-survivors fleeing abusive relationships.

The program is not open to all. 

The LVP is designed to support individuals who are, planning to leave or have recently left an intimate partner violence relationship, who are aged 18 years and older, residents of Australia (citizens, permanent residents, or temporary visa holders), experiencing financial hardship, involved in a change in living arrangements due to intimate partner violence within the last 12 weeks and who are not recipients of the payment in the previous 12 months.

But according to a Department of Social Services spokesperson, eligible victim-survivors, regardless of visa status or gender, will be able to access an individualised financial support package.

Each eligible applicant can receive up to $5,000, split between $1,500 in cash and $3,500 as a prepaid card for goods and services. 

The distribution and management of these funds is still being planned, with the government seeking service providers through a competitive selection process.

The LVP is not an entirely new venture but an evolution of the previous Escaping Violence Program (EVP), which also offered a one-off payment of up to $5,000. 

The EVP faced significant challenges, with more than half of the applicants failing to secure the payment, often due to stringent documentation and eligibility requirements. 

Reflecting on the EVP's limitations, the government has restructured the eligibility criteria and renamed the program to better align with its goals and the feedback from the violence sector.

The announcement comes in the wake of continued national outcry against domestic violence, highlighted by recent incidents and longstanding community advocacy. Rallies and public demands for action underscore the urgency of addressing what has been described as an “entrenched epidemic” of violence against women.

Victim-survivors and advocates have expressed cautious optimism following the announcement of the LVP, but many stress the need for more comprehensive strategies, including increased funding for frontline services and preventive education. 

Critics argue that while the LVP is a positive step, it is insufficient without broader systemic changes to ensure women's safety and justice.

The LVP is scheduled to begin accepting applications in July 2025. 

It represents a significant federal commitment to addressing domestic violence, yet it has ignited a discussion on the adequacy of the measures and the need for a more holistic approach to this pervasive issue.