Ms Leonard has thrown her support behind a $2.5m federal funding bid by Change for Sam.

INDEPENDENT candidate for Monash, Deb Leonard, has thrown her support behind a push to secure federal funding for personal safety devices aimed at protecting people at risk of family violence.

Leonard recently met with Change For Sam, a Victorian charity dedicated to preventing violence through the provision of 24/7 security-monitored safety devices.

The organisation was founded by Lija Matthews in honour of her close friend, Samantha Fraser, who was murdered by her ex-husband, Adrian Basham, in 2018.

“Had Sam had access to such a device, it could have potentially saved her life. These devices are already making a difference in protecting others facing similar threats of family violence,” Lija said.

The safety devices, worn on the person, allow users to instantly alert a security company, which checks on their wellbeing and records audio.

With more than 66 women killed by a current or former partner in Australia in 2024, Leonard described the situation as a national crisis requiring urgent action.

“As someone who has worked in family violence and criminal law for nearly 20 years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of violence on our community – on victims and their families,” Leonard said.

She believes these devices could also ease the burden on the legal system by enabling swifter convictions, reduce trauma for victims, and save both time and costs in the courts.

Change For Sam is seeking $2.5 million in federal funding to make the safety devices more widely available and Leonard has pledged her full support.

“If elected, I will fight to secure funding for these devices, which will not only save lives but also help reduce crime and keep our
community safe,” she said.

“It is still a traumatic process for victims to report gender-based violence to police and apply for intervention orders. I’ll work with state and federal governments to address these issues, drawing on my 20 years of experience in crime and family violence.

Having also worked with perpetrators, I see the gaps in the system regarding mental health services, drug and alcohol counselling, and anger management programs that often leads to violent behaviour.

We need to address these factors if we’re going to break the cycle of violence.”

One in four women will experience gender-based violence in their lifetime with rates in Gippsland well above state average.

For more information on Change For Sam, visit changeforsam.com.au.