An expanded refuge in Armidale will from today provide women and children escaping domestic violence with access to safe accommodation and support services.
Victim-survivors of domestic and family violence in regional NSW face different challenges accessing services to those in metro area. The NSW Government is working hard to close those gaps by funding refuges and appropriate supports in the regions.
This modern facility is part of the Core and Cluster Pilot program which is funded by the NSW Government to the tune of $6.8 million across four sites in regional NSW.
The four new self-contained units and enhancements to the existing women's refuge at this site, are critical additions to the domestic and family violence response in the Armidale region. The new units promote independent living and privacy to support families as they heal from abusive experiences.
Women's Shelter Armidale will continue to deliver specialist homelessness and domestic violence services, such as counselling, legal advice and therapeutic programs, in a new administration hub at the 'core' of the site.
A new yarning circle within the gardens will also allow Aboriginal residents to engage in storytelling, learn from one another, build respect, and share knowledge.
Under the broader Core and Cluster program, the NSW Government is investing $426.6 million over four years to provide new crisis accommodation across NSW for people fleeing domestic and family violence. Some 26 of the 39 Core and Cluster sites are in regional NSW.
Once all Core and Cluster refuges are operational, they will support an additional 2,900 women and children escaping domestic and family violence each year.
The NSW Government is acting to reduce domestic and family violence in the state with a $245.6 million package that focuses on crisis response, early intervention and prevention, so women and children can feel safe at home and in the community.
In addition, the 2024-25 NSW Budget has committed $5.1 billion to new social housing, with 50 per cent prioritised for victim-survivors of family and domestic violence.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:
"We know that family and domestic violence is one of the main reasons women and children leave their homes and seek help from homelessness services.
"That's why the NSW Government is continuing to prioritise and invest in building safe homes for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.
"The expansion of this refuge will mean more women and children fleeing abusive relationships can feel safe in their own communities and supported to heal and rebuild their lives."
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
"We have seen too many lives lost and families broken because of domestic and family violence.
"The NSW Government is taking important steps to prevent and reduce domestic violence. This includes supporting victim-survivors and ensuring that anyone leaving an abusive relationship has a pathway to safety and recovery.
"The expansion of the Armidale refuge delivers more accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic violence and addresses a crucial need in the region to provide a safe space and much-needed specialist wraparound support for its residents."
Womens Shelter Armidale CEO Penny Lamaro said:
"The Armidale Pilot Project enhances the work we are already doing to provide much-needed crisis accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic violence in Armidale.
"The Core and Cluster model means that families will now also have the privacy and space they need to heal while accessing the supports they need and staying connected to their local community.
"Once a family enters the Armidale refuge, we support them to rebuild their lives and eventually to find safe, affordable long-term accommodation."
