Emmaus House a new 24-hour women's refuge opens

17/9/99

Housing Minister Dr Kim Hames today opened a 24-hour purpose-built refuge for women and children in crisis situations.
Emmaus House provides independent living family units, child-care facilities and a three-bedroom refuge for women fleeing domestic violence.
It is staffed around the clock by the Family and Children's Services.
Dr Hames said the $700,000 refuge was built by the Ministry of Housing with funding from the Crisis Accommodation Program (CAP).
The refuge was specially built to ensure security of the location and in keeping with the surrounding area, so that it maintained a low profile.
"It is hoped it will provide a temporary home where women can recover from both physical and mental damage and start getting their lives back together,'' Dr Hames said.
Staff and supporters of the refuge had lobbied successive governments for 23 years, but it was only comparatively recently that the Commonwealth and State Governments provided total funding to construct and maintain women's refuges.
The new Emmaus House was built by Paradam Construction.
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MOH: Janet Wainwright on 9222 4500