Development of Services - 1980's

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The Cain Labor Government that came to power in 1982 was elected on a strong platform of women's issues that translated into a commitment to a policy of regionalisation for health services and the establishment of sexual assault services in each Department of Health region. The establishment of these services and their location was decided according to priorities established by the Rape Study Committee.

The second funded service to be established in Victoria was the Geelong Rape Crisis Service who in 1982 was allocated a small private space within the Casualty Section of the Geelong Hospital where medical examinations could be undertaken. In addition, rape victims and their families and friends were offered support by the Collective. In 1984 this service received funding to employ staff.

The establishment of further centres and their location was decided according to priorities established by the Rape Study Committee. Between 1982-5 three country sexual assault services were set up in Bendigo, Ballarat and Warmambool and funding was committed to the Northern Metropolitan Region. By the end of 1985 there were six centres either operating or due to commence.

In 1986 it was decided to move the Queen Victoria Centre out of metropolitan Melbourne to Clayton as part of a wider move to decentralise acute health facilities into population growth areas. As a response to the attendant move of the only City based sexual assault centre the Rape Study Committee recommended a tender process for the establishment of a replacement inner urban centre. The Royal Women's Hospital secured the tender and CASA House opened in North Carlton in 1987.

The final report of the working party convened by the Victorian Minister for Health in 1986 Why Women's Health recommended the establishment of centres against sexual assault for women in all Victorian health regions. By this time there were 8 centres against sexual assault including the Gatehouse Centre in the Royal Children's Hospital. At the end of the 1980's there were 13 sexual assault centres across Victoria although there were, and continue to be, variations in funding and service provision across regions and services.

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