- Newly
expanded Goldfields Women's Refuge has opened in Kalgoorlie-Boulder
- The
refuge's crisis accommodation capacity has doubled from 6 to 12 units to
support more women and children escaping family and domestic violence
- Announcement
comes during the State Government's 16 Days in WA campaign
The newly expanded Goldfields Women's Refuge has been officially opened
in Kalgoorlie-Boulder by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister
Sabine Winton.
The refuge, built in 1979 and known as Finlayson House, has undergone
significant expansion works to double its crisis accommodation capacity,
bringing the number of units available for women and children escaping family
and domestic violence from 6 to 12.
The expansion includes the
construction of a two-storey crisis care complex, with six self-contained units
for individuals or families.
Importantly, the
expanded layout provides a trauma-informed space to ensure that women and children escaping domestic
violence situations can be supported in a way that provides privacy, dignity and comfort.
Each unit features a private kitchen and
bathroom, offering a more private and supportive environment to help victim-survivors
heal emotionally.
The Cook Government provided $453,648 in
capital grant funding to the Goldfields Women's Refuge Association.
Further funding was provided by Lotterywest,
the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, and by Goldfields mining businesses.
The announcement comes during
the State Government's 16 Days in WA campaign to end family and domestic
violence.
The theme for 2024 is "Stopping
Family and Domestic Violence: Play Your Part", which encourages everyone to
consider what they can do to help stop violence before it starts.
People experiencing family and domestic violence can call the Women's
Domestic Violence Helpline on 1800 007 339, Men's Domestic Violence Helpline on
1800 000 599 or the national helpline 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Comments attributed to
Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton:
"The
Cook Government is committed to supporting initiatives that keep
victim-survivors of family and domestic violence safe, and hold perpetrators
accountable.
"The newly expanded Goldfields Women's Refuge will provide a safe space
for more women and their children who have had to leave their homes to escape
family and domestic violence.
"This new development will allow victim-survivors to live in safety,
privacy and dignity while they reclaim their lives and
start to build a new future for themselves.
"I would like to acknowledge the commitment
and advocacy shown by the Goldfields Women's Refuge, the City of
Kalgoorlie-Boulder, local service providers, local businesses and community
leaders."
Comments
attributed to Goldfields MLA Ali Kent:
"I'm so delighted to see this project reach
completion, doubling the capacity of the Goldfields Women's Refuge.
"While I hope that one day places like this
will no longer be needed because violence is preventable, I am heartened that
there are wonderful services like this supporting victim-survivors.
"In particular, I would like to give a
shout-out to Kasey Venter - this project has been a labour of love for her from
the early days through to the today's opening."
