- Ruah Centre for Women and Children officially opened in Perth's CBD to support women and children escaping family and domestic violence
- Almost $30 million Cook Government investment delivering vital safe accommodation
- Seven-storey centre includes 13 safe accommodation units and a One Stop Hub
- $882,353 Lotterywest grant for Ruah to provide further crisis and emergency relief
The Cook Labor Government is delivering vital safe accommodation for victim-survivors of family and domestic violence, with the new Ruah Centre for Women and Children officially open in Perth's CBD.
Premier Roger Cook, Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton and Planning, Housing and Homelessness Minister John Carey today officially opened the seven-storey purpose-built facility, which received $29.2 million in State Government funding.
The centre is Australia's first dedicated, state-of-the-art healing and recovery centre for women and children fleeing family and domestic violence, offering safe accommodation alongside a One Stop Hub and a range of services to help families regain their independence and wellbeing - all in the same location.
It will provide 13 self-contained units, supporting up to 13 women and 26 children at a time with secure and private accommodation.
Wraparound services such as counselling and legal supports will be delivered alongside the units, forming part of a One Stop Hub called the 'Karlup' Service that will help families regain their independence and wellbeing.
In 2022, the WA Labor Government was forced to call in a City of Perth Council decision to oppose Ruah Community Services' application to move its existing Shenton Street drop-in centre around the corner to a site on James Street. Ruah would have been forced to shut down its drop-in service to facilitate construction of its Centre for Women and Children, without State Government intervention.
In addition, Ruah was presented with a new $882,353 Lotterywest grant to continue delivering crisis and emergency relief. The grant will also assist Ruah to incorporate preventative measures and capacity building for people in need into its crisis and emergency relief program.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"We know a range of responses is required to address high rates of family and domestic violence in the community, and supports for vulnerable women and children escaping violence are critical to these efforts.
"This centre is the first in WA to bring comprehensive support services and secure accommodation units together under one roof to support the healing and recovery of victim-survivors of family and domestic violence.
"This ambitious project faced significant challenges that could have prevented its delivery, so I congratulate Ruah on their dedication to ensuring the Ruah Centre for Women and Children became a reality.
"My Government is proud to have contributed almost $30 million to deliver this incredible facility, and is committed to providing services to help victim-survivors of family and domestic violence to live safe and secure lives."
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton:
"The issue of family and domestic violence is one that the Cook Government takes extremely seriously.
"Ruah's new facility and the Karlup Service will provide safety, privacy and dignity to victim-survivors while they reclaim their lives and give them time to heal, recover and thrive as they start to build a new future for themselves.
"Importantly it will increase the provision of short-term and transitional accommodation for women and children escaping family and domestic violence in the Perth metropolitan area.
"I commend the commitment and vision of not-for-profit Ruah Community Services, who championed this project from its inception."
As stated by Planning, Housing and Homelessness Minister John Carey:
"The Cook Labor Government has provided almost $30 million to make this project a reality, and for more than 60 years Ruah has been providing important and credible services to assist the most vulnerable members of our community.
"The new Ruah Centre for Women and Children will provide housing and a safe haven for women and children who have experienced family and domestic violence, to get the support they need to be safe, heal, recover and thrive, with access to holistic, life-changing services in one location.
"We believe that Ruah should be in the heart of the city to deliver these critical services, despite the continued opposition from the City of Perth against the Safe Night Space and the Ruah Centre for Women and Children."
