The NSW Government is building a safer New South Wales for regional women and children with construction now beginning on a new safe haven in Port Stephens.
Built under the Core and Cluster program, $7.2 million is being invested in a new six-unit refuge in Port Stephens being developed by Hume Community Housing.
The Core and Cluster refuge model promotes independent living by providing self-contained accommodation located next to a 'core' of support that facilitates access to services such as counselling, legal assistance, education, and employment support.
Hume Community Housing is a Tier 1 Community Housing Provider with more than 30 years' experience, providing social and affordable housing and specialist disability accommodation.
Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services (PSFaNS) has been nominated as the future service provider to deliver tailored support services to victim-survivors at the completed refuge, helping them rebuild their lives and heal from trauma.
The NSW Government has invested $426.6 million over four years to provide new crisis accommodation across NSW for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence as part of the Core and Cluster program.
Once all 49 new Core and Cluster refuges are completed, and the replacement of eight existing government-owned women's refuge buildings are refurbished, they will support more than an additional 2,900 women and children escaping domestic and family violence each year.
The Minns Labor Government is addressing domestic and family violence at all stages, by investing in primary prevention, early intervention, crisis responses and recovery. Making sure women and children have a safe place to go when they escape abuse is crucial to their recovery and helping them rebuild their lives.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
"For women and children escaping abusive and violent homes, having a safe haven is vital to begin recovering, healing and rebuilding their lives.
"The NSW Government is continuing the roll out of Core and Cluster refuges for domestic violence victim-survivors across the state, with a total of 49 new refuges set to be up and running by 2026.
"We're proud to partner with local service providers to ensure that Core and Cluster residents receive tailored support so they can regain their confidence, recover and thrive."
Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said:
"Domestic and family violence has a devastating impact on the lives of people in Port Stephens and across the state. It must stop.
"This new Core and Cluster refuge will be life-changing for local women and children, giving them a safe and secure place to begin rebuilding their lives after trauma.
"For too long, women and children in our community have had to leave behind their jobs, schools, and support networks to find safety. This refuge means they will now have access to the crisis accommodation and support they need, right here in Port Stephens."
Brad Braithwaite, CEO of Hume Housing said:
"Hume Community Housing is proud to be partnering with the Department of Communities and Justice and Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services to deliver this Core and Cluster refuge.
"Breaking ground today is just the beginning as we look towards providing a safe place for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence.
"This is central to Hume's purpose: to create homes and opportunities for people to heal, rebuild and prosper in vibrant and connected communities."
Sue Pollock, Manager Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services said:
"Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services has been providing services to our community for over 35 years.
"For most of those years women in our community have been advocating for a refuge to be available for women and children living with domestic and family violence.
"Women in Karuah Aboriginal Community have been working for nearly two years now to make sure that the refuge will be a place of comfort and safety, a place where women and children can breathe and be nurtured by the surroundings. They have been meeting each week designing and sewing the soft furnishings and mapping out the outdoor and living areas. We are grateful for such generosity of spirit.
"With the hard work and commitment from women in this community, with Hume Community Housing and funding from Department of Communities and Justice, women and children can now know that a place of safety and respite will exist in their community. A place where they can stay close to their supports, their schools, their jobs. Everyone deserves to feel safe and supported and live a life free from violence."
Support:
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.
