Anawim accommodation service guaranteed funding until mid-1998

13/11/96

The Anawim accommodation service for Aboriginal women in Perth has been guaranteed funding until mid-1998, Family and Children's Services Minister Cheryl Edwardes and Federal Family Services Minister Judi Moylan announced today.

This means the agency can continue to provide crisis accommodation and support services for up to eight Aboriginal women, without children, at a time, and give information and support to Aboriginal women who are escaping violence or are in crisis.

Family and Children's Services has granted the service $205,688 a year until June 30, 1998 under the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP).

SAAP is a joint State and Commonwealth Government program which provides more than 100 accommodation and support services for homeless people throughout Western Australia.

"It is vital that women have access to safe accommodation and services which support them in a crisis," Mrs Edwardes said.

"It is also important to help them after the crisis to re-establish their lives.

"The service helps women who are affected by domestic or other violence assess their situation and make informed choices and decisions about the future."

Mrs Moylan said the refuge provided a valuable service for Aboriginal women in the Perth area.

"It is important that women in crisis are able to develop skills and knowledge that will help them avoid similar situations in future," she said.

"The continued funding demonstrates the Commonwealth and State Governments' commitment to providing support for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in Western Australia."

Media contacts: Diana Russell Coote(Minister Edwardes' Office)(09)421 7777 Martine Haley (Minister Moylan's Office) (06) 277 7240