Our commitment to keeping Western Australian women and their children safe
The Department of Communities (Communities) has designed three purpose-built women’s refuges to provide accommodation and support services to women and children escaping family and domestic violence.
Purpose-built refuges in Kwinana and the Peel region were officially opened in December 2020.
A third refuge (Koort Kulaark) in the East Metropolitan area was officially opened by Sabine Winton; Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, in November 2023.
The State Government has also approved $72.6 million for a range of initiatives to strengthen responses to family and domestic violence in late 2023. Of the $72.6 million funding package, $22.6 million is dedicated capital funding to re-develop Stirling Women’s Centre, a women’s refuge which has been managed by the City of Stirling since its establishment nearly 50 years ago. This investment will significantly increase capacity, expanding from five rooms in a shared facility to 16 new independent units. The building design incorporates a ‘core and cluster’ model of crisis accommodation consisting of fully independent living facilities.
Establishing the refuges was a commitment under the State Government’s Stopping Family and Domestic Violence Policy. This policy outlines a strong commitment to keeping Western Australian women and their children safe with a comprehensive package of reforms aimed at supporting victims of family and domestic violence (FDV).
Warlang Bidi
Warlang Bidi is based in the Peel region. It is WA’s first therapeutic women’s refuge and is tailored to provide specialist, person-centred responses for women who are escaping FDV, presenting with or without children, who also have mental health concerns and/or harm from alcohol and other drugs.
Warlang Bidi means “healthy path” in Noongar language, reflecting the therapeutic goals of the refuge in seeing the individual needs of each person, and providing the range of supports they need.
Warlang Bidi is delivered by Pat Thomas House Inc (trading as OVIS Community Services).
Andrea Mia
The Andrea Mia women's refuge in Kwinana delivers crucial crisis accommodation and support services to women and children escaping FDV.
The purpose-built facility is operated by the Lucy Saw Centre Association. It has been designed to be accessible to all women, including women with disability, older women, women from Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and women with larger families, including older boys.
Andrea Mia means “Andrea’s House” and has been named in tribute to Andrea Pickett, who passed away as a result of family and domestic violence in 2009. Her passing led to the 2012 Hope Inquest, which was a catalyst for significant change in WA’s family and domestic violence system. With the permission and blessing of Andrea’s family, her name has been chosen for a safe and secure place for women and children to call home.
Both refuges will support women and their children to live healthy lives, free from violence.
Expansion of Peel and Kwinana Refuges
On 22 July 2020 the State Government announced a further $4 million to go towards the expansion of the Peel and Kwinana Refuges, $2 million per refuge.
This additional funding enabled a further six accommodation units to be built at each of the refuge sites, doubling their capacity. This expansion was completed in late 2021.
Koort Kulaark
Koort Kulaark, meaning “heart of our home” in Noongar language, is a purpose-built women’s refuge facility in Perth's East Metropolitan area for women at risk of harm from family and domestic violence.
Designed in partnership with Zonta House Refuge Association, Koort Kulaark accommodates 28 women (without children in their care).
Clients at the refuge have access to 24/7 on-site support and wrap-around services, including specialist mental health support.
The contemporary design created by Whitehaus Architects includes environmentally sustainable, safe and culturally appropriate spaces and a generous landscaped outdoor area to help foster wellbeing. Local Aboriginal women Elders and artists have contributed to a cultural narrative throughout the buildings and landscaping.
Construction of the facility was delivered by Western Australian building company Swan Group. A grant from Lotterywest enabled Zonta House Refuge Association to complete the fit-out of the refuge.
Media statement: New refuge open for women escaping family and domestic violence.
More information and resources
Communities will publish information and updates about Warlang Bidi, Andrea Mia, Koort Kulaark, and Stirling Women’s Centre on this page.
Information and updates will also be provided via email to those who have registered their interest.
If you have any queries or require any information provided in an alternative format, please email fdvrefuges@communities.wa.gov.au
Co-design findings
Co-design findings for both refuges are available on the FDV Women’s Refuge Co-design Findings web page or via email fdvrefuges@communities.wa.gov.au to those who have attended the co-design sessions or registered their interest in either refuge.
Announcements
