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MEDIA RELEASE

25 June 2026

PRIVATE PHILANTHROPIC CHARITY FILLS VITAL FUNDING GAP FOR VICTIM-SURVIVORS

At a time when the public purse in Tasmania is stretched to the limit and waiting times for support are long, Hobart Women’s Shelter couldn’t believe their luck when new philanthropic funding from the charity Family Frontline Support landed in their lap yesterday.

Janet Saunders, CEO at Hobart Women’s Shelter said,

“It’s not every day you take a call from a private philanthropic charity that asks you ‘where is your greatest need?’”

“Of course, it was a no-brainer. Our collaboration with Engender Equality’s therapeutic counselling services that has put counsellors onsite at the shelter for the past two years did not attract the public funding we had hoped for this year.

“To have practitioners on-site who can quickly wraparound women and children experiencing family violence is so critical to ensuring integrated, trauma-informed support where and when they need it most,” she said.

“Our partnership with Engender Equality has transformed how we are able to support residents at the Shelter. Having specialist therapeutic support available on-site means women can access care in a way that feels safe, timely, and connected to their broader needs.”

Family Frontline Support’s investment reflects a growing commitment within the philanthropic sector to fund place-based, collaborative responses to complex social issues. This funding will ensure the continuation of embedded therapeutic services at Hobart Women’s Shelter, supporting women to navigate the impacts of violence, rebuild their lives, and move toward safe and sustainable futures.

Alina Thomas, CEO at Engender Equality, said the funding recognises the importance of collaboration in responding to family violence. “We know that women’s recovery is strengthened when services work together in a coordinated and relational way. This funding allows us to continue delivering therapeutic support embedded within Hobart Women’s Shelter—meeting women where they are and responding to their needs in real time.”

Richard Gorman, Director and Board Chair Family Frontline Support said they are pleased to support collaborative responses to family violence. “We are proud to support this important partnership between Engender Equality and Hobart Women’s Shelter. Place-based, collaborative approaches like this are critical to ensuring women can access the support they need. In an environment where victim-survivors face huge wait times to get support, we are pleased to improve access to services for women at the Shelter.”

Media Contact:

Alina Thomas, CEO, Engender Equality  0438 788 291 

Belinda Witter, Deputy CEO, Hobart Women’s Shelter 0403 286 625

For a lived experience representative (case study) please contact advocates@engenderequality.org.au or
0415 740 524.