mmg.com.au

A device that allows victims of family violence to notify police discreetly when they are in distress is available in Shepparton despite government funding being on shaky ground.

Women can call police to their home simply by pressing a button on their B-Safe device, which works similarly to medical alerts that call emergency help.

The federally funded devices were successfully trialled in Victoria from 2007 to 2010 and local funding allowed the program to continue for another 12 months.

A furore developed late last year when the program appeared it would end, but a $55000 grant from the Federal Government and $40000 from the community, particularly from the Goulburn Valley, means it will continue this year.

However B-Safe co-ordinator Rachael Mackay said its future after that looked bleak.

Ms Mackay said there were 12 women in Shepparton with 30 children between them who used the B-Safe device.

‘‘We’ve got massive amounts of children that are connected and they are able to sleep in their own beds,’’ she said. ‘‘We have mothers that are sleeping with their kids because they (the children) are downright scared.’’

Ms Mackay, who has worked with the program since its inception, is based at Wangaratta but travels across Victoria.

She recounted the day when she spoke to a local woman on the phone about the possibility of the B-Safe program ending.

The woman, who has a young child, had moved seven times but was able to remain in the area for three years because of B-Safe.

She described the sharp intake of the woman’s breath as she told her the news.

‘‘She was just devastated and she actually said, ‘I’m going to have to move. I’m going to have to relocate again’,’’ Ms Mackay said.

Mooroopna man John Harbord works for VitalCall installing the systems.

‘‘I’ve seen the relief when they’ve had this protection. It’s a relief of having some way of getting help when they need it,’’ he said.

Ms Mackay said there were B-Safe devices available for more women in the Goulburn Valley.

She said applicants undertook a risk assessment and had to have an intervention order against the offender to be eligible.

Ms Mackay said it would cost Shepparton $70000 a year to supply 20 units to women. She said it was a cost that paled in comparison to the $3.5billion in family violence-related costs in Victoria every year.

‘‘This is such a simple, cost-effective way of protecting women and children.

‘‘We need a solid government response. We want this as an option for all rural women and children.’’

For more information or to apply to access a B-Safe device, phone Marian Community on 58219458.