- Cook
Government delivers vital refuge accommodation in eastern suburbs
- New
refuge facility to accommodate up to 28 women escaping family and domestic
violence
- Zonta House Refuge Association to
operate the facility with 24/7 on-site support
The Cook Government's new, purpose-built family and domestic violence
women's refuge in the eastern suburbs has been officially opened by Prevention
of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton.
Named Koort Kulaark, which translates to "heart of our home" in Noongar
language, the new refuge will accommodate up to 28 women at any one time and has
been designed in consultation with a family and domestic violence specialist
support provider. The name reflects the refuge's aim to provide a safe haven
for women fleeing family and domestic violence.
The facility will
provide women with 24/7 on-site support and wraparound services, including
access to specialist wellbeing services to help them rebuild their independence and wellbeing.
The total State Government investment in the project has
been $11 million, including $9.7 million in capital funding, which includes
$8.7 million announced in 2021 and a further $1 million allocated in 2022. Lotterywest
also contributed $1.3 million to the fit-out of the facility.
Lotterywest has also recently
awarded a further $170,000 grant to Zonta House Refuge Association to continue
providing emergency relief and crisis support to women experiencing family and
domestic violence across all their refuges.
Construction commenced in
December 2021 and was delivered by Western Australian building company Swan
Group. The contemporary design created by Whitehaus Architects includes
environmentally sustainable, safe, and culturally appropriate spaces.
Aboriginal Elders, women,
and artists have contributed to a cultural narrative throughout the buildings
and landscaping. Designed to foster wellbeing and a sense of safety, the
outdoor spaces include yarning circles, a water feature, totem poles, a Dreamtime
story pathway, fruit trees, spaces for kitchen gardens and a temporary pet
shelter.
The refuge is the
culmination of several years' collaboration between the Department of Communities
and specialist women's refuge service provider Zonta House Refuge Association,
which will operate the facility.
The opening of the Koort Kulaark refuge
coincides with the State Government's seventh annual 16 Days in WA campaign to
stop violence against women and their families.
This
year, the campaign's theme is 'Play your Part', which encourages all Western
Australians to consider their role in ending family violence. The campaign,
which starts 25 November and runs until 10 December, promotes community
awareness and challenges views that can prevent survivors from seeking help or
assistance. It also seeks to put an end to behaviours that allow victim blaming
to occur.
Comments attributed to Prevention of
Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton:
"The
issue of family and domestic violence is one our Government takes extremely
seriously and is committed to addressing. There is no excuse for violence.
"The
opening of Koort Kulaark refuge supports the Cook Labor Government's
commitment to supporting victim-survivors to not only escape violence, but also
to rebuild their lives and independence by not only providing a safe place but
also wrap-around supports to rebuild their independence.
"Koort
Kulaark will provide a safe haven for WA women who are escaping family and
domestic violence.
"One in four women have experienced intimate partner violence,
and this increases to three in five for Aboriginal women. These are
heartbreaking statistics, and we must continue to do everything to shine a
spotlight on family and domestic violence."
Comments
attributed to Cannington MLA Bill Johnston:
"I
commend the commitment and vision of specialist women's refuge service provider
Zonta House Refuge Association, which is the operator of this facility and
championed this project from its inception six years ago. Their vision has
helped create Koort Kulaark into a functional, safe, and healing space for
women.
"Family
and domestic violence is a scourge on our community, and we all have a part to
play in breaking the cycle. If you or someone you know is experiencing family
and domestic violence, I urge you to seek help."
Comments attributed to Zonta House
CEO Kelda Oppermann:
"Family and domestic violence continues to be perpetrated at
unacceptable and devastating rates and severity in our community.
"What victim-survivors have to endure, the ongoing impact and misplaced
onus on them to have to manage their safety and changed life due to the actions
of others is horrendous.
"Victim-survivors who have had to leave their homes and lives should be
treated with utmost care and should have access to choice, safety and dignity.
"I am grateful for what we have been able to create alongside the
Department of Communities, Lotterywest, Whitehaus, our Zonta House team, many
partners and by listening to women and the community.
"My greatest hope is this safe haven provides a place of rest and the
beginnings of the pathway to healing for women."
