Ngaringga Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation

24/3/97

The Ngaringga Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation has been guaranteed funding to provide services until mid-1998, Family and Children's Services Minister Rhonda Parker and Federal Family Services Minister Judi Moylan announced today.

This means the service can continue to provide crisis and transitional accommodation and support for up to six women at a time, with or without children, who are escaping domestic violence in the Halls Creek area.

Family and Children's Services has granted the service $204,801 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 and children fleeing domestic violence have access to safe accommodation and services which support them in a crisis," Mrs Parker said.

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

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

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

"It is important that women and children in a violent family situation are able to develop skills and knowledge that will help them break the cycle of domestic violence," Mrs Moylan said.

"The continued funding demonstrates the Commonwealth and State Governments' commitment to strengthening families and providing support for homeless people and victims of domestic violence in Western Australia."

Media contact: Kaye Hopkins (09) 481 7810 or Sandi Logan (06) 277 7240