Women's services cut back in SA
By Melanie Sjoberg
ADELAIDE — The content of a report compiled by Adelaide Rape Action Link Up (RALU) titled "No Desks Or Doctors" presents the results of a survey of women's health and counselling services in Adelaide.
Since the closure of the Adelaide Rape Crisis Centre (ARCC) in June 1993, RALU activists have provided a minimal phone referral service on a voluntary basis. Their frustration at being unable to refer women to adequate services led to the survey.
The results showed that 76% of respondents had to wait longer than five weeks for their first appointment for service.
In addition, many women commented that there was a need for choice between face-to-face and phone counselling. Many reported that the available services did not offer sessions long enough to deal with their concerns, nor had a frequent enough counselling series for follow-up. Lack of access to resources, outreach and a safe environment were all raised.
The effects of closure of the ARCC are still being felt. When basic services such as free counselling become unavailable, the extra energy for work on prevention and education becomes limited. Simultaneous cutbacks in housing and the mental health system are also exhausting those services still available to women.
The report states, "It is now time to look to the wider community for support and to join in with wider community activities". To this end, RALU intends to participate in the Women's Liberation Conference in Adelaide on July 21-23.