- Safe at Home expands to Kununurra, Hedland and Kalgoorlie
- Initiative enables victim-survivors who are experiencing family and domestic violence to remain safely in their homes, or a home of their choice
- Cook Government commits $3.1m to expand the program as part of a $72.6 million investment to strengthen responses to family and domestic violence in Western Australia
A Cook Government initiative to keep victim-survivors safe from family and domestic violence will be expanded to Kununurra, Port Hedland and Kalgoorlie.
Safe at Home is designed to undertake risk assessments, safety planning, security upgrades and provide in-home support for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence so that they can safely stay in their own homes.
Importantly, Safe at Home helps families maintain safe and sustainable housing following family and domestic violence, ensuring continuity of access to their usual support networks such as workplaces, schools and early learning centres.
The Safe at Home program began in 2010 and has been operating in the Perth metropolitan area, Wheatbelt and the South West. It recently expanded to Katanning and Fitzroy Crossing.
The $3.1 million program expansion is one of a range of initiatives which form part of a $72.6 million investment to strengthen responses to family and domestic violence in Western Australia, announced during the Cook Government's 2023 16 Days in WA campaign.
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton:
"It is vital that people who experience family and domestic violence have the option to stay safe in their homes, maintain their economic security and stay connected to their support networks.
"The expansion of the Safe at Home program to Kununurra, Hedland and Kalgoorlie will enable victim-survivors in these communities to exercise choices about where they live."
As stated by the Member for Kimberley Divina D'Anna MLA:
"This new service will empower local women with alternatives to consider above and beyond going to a refuge or crisis accommodation.
"The service will help complement the fantastic work already being done by organisations like Gawooleng."
As stated by the Member for Kalgoorlie Ali Kent MLA:
"Victim-survivors often report it feels grossly unfair that they are the ones having to uproot their lives when they have done nothing wrong.
"I'm so pleased to see services like Safe at Home come to Kalgoorlie-Boulder. It will give more women the option to remain at home where it may be safe to do so."
As stated by the Member for Pilbara Kevin Michel MLA:
"The intensive supports put in place via the Safe at Home program, including connections with the police and wider community, can help create the safeguards and protections necessary to enable victim-survivors to stay safe at home.
"I welcome the Safe at Home program being expanded to Hedland."
