Funding boost for Alexis program
- simoneworthing
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
BY SIMONE WORTHING
The Salvation Army’s innovative Alexis Family Violence Response model (Alexis FVRM) has just received a $1.5 million investment from the Victorian Government.
The model aims to reduce family violence for victim-survivors and to achieve accountability among perpetrators.
Natalie Hutchins, the Victorian Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, announced the investment this week, with funding coming from the Labor Government’s Strengthening Women’s Safety Package.
The Alexis FVRM was created in partnership with Victoria Police and The Salvation Army in 2014, after mutual recognition that a more targeted and specialised response was needed for high-risk and recidivist family violence. This is achieved by embedding specialist family violence practitioners into Family Violence Investigation Units, with one practitioner supporting the victim survivor (and children) and the other supporting the person using violence.
“It’s particularly exciting that the innovative response by The Salvation Army some years ago is now positively shaping the government’s response to family violence service delivery,” said Major Claire Emerton, Head of Social and Community Mission.
The Alexis FVRM currently works across Prahran, Bayside, Morwell and Wonthaggi (Victoria). The additional funding will enable the program to expand to two new sites based on police advice.
“The Alexis FVRM provides a collaborative, real-time response to high-risk family violence,” said Lauren Chisholm, Senior Manager, Integrated Men’s Services. “It brings practitioners and police together to share information, make joint decisions, and deliver coordinated interventions that strengthen safety and accountability. Operating through a whole-of-family approach, the model supports both victim-survivors and people using violence, aiming to break the cycle of harm and promote long-term change.
“With assertive outreach and flexible, intensive support, Alexis proactively engages families who are often disconnected from mainstream services due to complex, intersecting barriers. This approach enables timely, trauma-informed interventions at critical moments, supporting individuals and families from crisis through to recovery.”
Track record
Lorrinda Hamilton, Salvation Army National General Manager – Family Violence and Modern Slavery, said, “We welcome the announcement of government investment into the successful Alexis Family Violence Response model.
“Evidence demonstrates a reduction in risk and recidivism while increasing the overall safety of victim-survivors.”
Minister Hutchins said, “This program has a proven track record of improving safety, holding perpetrators to account and supporting long-term behaviour change.
“This investment builds on the work we're doing right across Victoria to stop family violence before it starts, support victim-survivors and keep women and children safe.”
Victorian Minister for Police, Anthony Carbines, said, “Victoria Police plays a critical role in responding to family violence – having specialist workers embedded alongside officers means better support for victims from the very first call.
“These partnerships help police intervene earlier, better protect women and children and connect families with the services they need to stay safe.”
Some information for this story was taken from miragenews.com
