- One Tree Community Services has been awarded contract to deliver new Leonora Safe House
- Service will provide culturally safe accommodation to support victim-survivors in times of crisis
- Complements a range of Cook Government initiatives that aim to address family and domestic violence in the Goldfields
The contract to deliver a new family and domestic violence accommodation facility in Leonora has been awarded to One Tree Community Services.
The Leonora Safe House will provide culturally safe accommodation to support victim-survivors in times of crisis and help them plan for a safe and secure future.
The contract award follows extensive community consultation with local community representatives, including the Shire of Leonora, community leaders, local service providers and police to identify an appropriate location and service model for the facility.
The establishment of a safe house in Leonora complements a range of Cook Government initiatives that aim to address family and domestic violence in the Goldfields.
These initiatives include a new Safe at Home program for Kalgoorlie-Boulder, a One Stop Hub, counselling and advocacy services, refuge and emergency accommodation, and the Goldfields Family and Domestic Violence Response Team.
The Cook Government has committed $1.7 million in the 2024-25 State Budget towards the operation of the safe house.
One Tree Community Services is a not-for-profit organisation with more than 50 years of experience in delivering services to rural and remote communities around Australia.
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton:
"The Cook Government is committed to supporting victim-survivors of family and domestic violence and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
"This is an important milestone towards the establishment of a new safe house, which will provide a vital service for Goldfields victim-survivors who have had to leave their homes to escape family violence.
"I would like to acknowledge the advocacy and commitment shown by Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent, the Shire of Leonora, Nyunngaku Women's Group, local service providers, and members of the community.
"We look forward to working with One Tree to ensure women and children in Leonora have access to a safe, welcoming refuge when they need it most."
As stated by Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent:
"I'm pleased that an experienced provider in One Tree - who ran the Laverton refuge - has been appointed to run the Leonora Safe House.
"I've been lobbying for this service for a long time, and I've heard firsthand from victim-survivors who have shared with me their own experiences of having to go bush to escape violent relationships.
"This a critical step in ensuring local victim-survivors have a safe place to go."
