The Sexual Assault Support Service now has expanded premises in Hobart.
SASS supports survivors of sexual abuse right across Southern Tasmania and today I had the pleasure of officially opening their expanded premises at Ingomar House.
SASS has been occupying the upstairs area of Ingomar House for a little over a year. With the assistance of Government funding it has now been able to expand into the downstairs area, allowing it to co-locate all its services and to strengthen the delivery of its many programs for their clients.
The Sexual Assault Service Program, which includes SASS, provides a range of specialist services that support children, young people and adults affected by sexual assault across Tasmania.
Sexual assault is an issue that affects men, women and children in our community.
With my responsibilities across the Human Services and Women portfolios, there is now a clear direction for government services to work together in a more cohesive way to achieve a significant and sustained reduction in violence, including sexual abuse, for all Tasmanians.
The Liberal Government has also made substantial commitments to tackle these issues, including:
• Additional funding of $124,000 for delivery of sexual assault services in the north of the state, over the next two years;
• legislating for minimum mandatory sentences for those convicted of serious sexual offences against children;
• strengthening the legislative provisions that deal with the crime of bullying and cyber bullying; and
• protecting children from sexual assault by providing $800,000 to Bravehearts to deliver their child safety awareness program;
The Liberal Government is committed to ensuring that Tasmanians are safe from violence and sexual abuse.
Jacquie Petrusma, Minister for Human Services
