The Andrews Labor Government is rolling out a vital program across Victoria to protect the women and children at the highest risk of family violence.

Harriet Shing, Member for Eastern Victoria today welcomed the announcement that high-impact Risk Assessment and Management Panels (RAMPs) will operate in 18 locations across Victoria.  Gippsland will have two RAMPS – Outer Gippsland incorporating the shires of East Gippsland and Wellington, and Inner Gippsland taking in Latrobe City, Baw Baw, South Gippsland and Bass Coast shires.

RAMPs bring together professionals from specialist women’s family violence services, Victoria Police, Corrections Victoria, housing, mental health, alcohol and drug services, men’s family violence services, Child FIRST and child protection.

These local experts share critical information about specific cases of women and their children at serious and imminent threat from family violence and develop co-ordinated action plans to protect them.

Ms Shing said every RAMP member has had specialist training in recent weeks, with each panel to consider its first cases this month.

The implementation of RAMPs was a recommendation of both the Coronial Inquest into the death of Luke Batty and the Royal Commission into Family Violence.

Ms Shing explained that the Labor Government has announced almost $9 million over four years to specialist family violence agencies to fund RAMP coordinators and flexible brokerage funding.

This program is funded on top of the Labor Government’s $572 million response to the Royal Commission’s recommendations.

Quote attributable to the Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing:

“Tackling the scourge of family violence in Gippsland requires a coordinated approach and women and children at serious risk of harm will be safer thanks to this program.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Families and Children, Jenny Mikakos:

“RAMPs save lives. When agencies come together to share vital information, women and children at serious risk of family violence do not fall through the cracks. That’s why we are rolling them out across the state.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Fiona Richardson:

“The rollout of RAMPs across Victoria is an important step in the Andrews Labor Government’s implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations.”