Minister stops door closing on abused women's support service

The Women's Legal Referral Service, which operates in Northbridge and provides support and legal advice to women trying to escape abusive relationships has been saved.

An urgent injection of $21,500 in State Government funding has stopped the not-for-profit service from closing due to lack of funds.

Women's Interests Minister Robyn McSweeney said she was happy to announce a one-off emergency grant of $21,500 to tide the service over until hoped-for additional Law Society funding was made available next January.

"South Perth MLA John McGrath drew my attention to this important issue and I'm glad to provide much needed funding through the Department for Communities grants program," Mrs McSweeney said.

"It is vital that women who feel powerless to leave abusive relationships are given the chance to access counselling and support services and to obtain professional advice that helps secure their legal rights."

Mrs McSweeney said that in the past two years the Women's Legal Referral Service had helped about 600 Western Australian women in crisis.

Women's Legal Referral Service project co-ordinator Di Annear said the organisation was grateful and relieved that the Minister had intervened with additional funds.

"It is wonderful to know that we can continue to operate over the Christmas holiday period, which is always a difficult time to deal with domestic violence issues," Mrs Annear said.

Minister's office - 9222 8950