SAFV Centre opens new women’s refuge

THE Sexual Assault & Family Violence (SAFV) Centre has officially opened its Women’s Family Violence Refuge in the Barwon region.

The purpose-built multi-unit crisis accommodation facility is for women and children at high risk of further and immediate harm from family violence.

The refuge is a safe place for women and children to stay as they re-establish their lives and move through their journey toward recovery from family violence, in a safe, supported, calm and welcoming space.

The SAFV Centre chief executive officer Helen Bolton said the refuge aimed to provide the most welcoming, respectful and dignified accommodation to those that need it most in our community.

“We have a long and proud history in providing communal style refuge services to the community, with our first refuge established in 1985, and since then we have provided many women and children with high security accommodation, advocacy and support.

“In March 2016, the Royal Commission into Family Violence made 227 recommendations to prevent family violence, keep victim survivors safe and supported, and hold perpetrators to account. One of these recommendations was to phase out communal style refuges and replace these with a core and cluster model refuges.

“We are now officially open and welcoming women and children. Referrals to our refuge come through from Victoria’s family violence referral service, Safe Steps, and women and children may be seeking refuge from anywhere across Victoria.

Under the core and cluster model, the refuge offers six self-contained units, with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units, all units offer disability access, with one unit specifically designed as an Accessibility Unit.

“This new model of refuge offers women and children privacy and independence, rather than the former model of women sharing a communal house,” Ms Bolton said.

“Parenting though family violence can, at times, be difficult and overwhelming, even more so when you have to relocate. Individual units allow women the space, security and privacy they need to respond to their child’s safety and emotional recovery following trauma. Each unit has its own kitchen, bathroom, living area, laundry and private courtyard. Outside we have a shared playground, barbecue area, sensory garden and secured parking.

The refuge is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with highly qualified staff providing support to residents.

“With our community’s support we have been able to fully furnish the units with new items such as beds, linen, furniture, whitegoods, small electrical items, kitchen utensils, bathroom essentials, diffusers, patchwork quilts, artwork, and plants; all items creating a welcoming, comfortable and settled environment for our clients,” Ms Bolton said.

She thanked the Victorian government for its funding and ongoing support.

“This new refuge will give women and children escaping family violence the support they need to rebuild their lives,” Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Ros Spence said.

If you or someone you know needs support, email The SAFV Centre at [email protected] or phone 5222 4318.

For support after hours, phone safe steps (24 hours) on 1800 015 188 or the Sexual Assault Crisis Line (24 Hours) on 1800 806 292.