Safe housing for Newman women escaping domestic violence

25/5/98

Newman Community Care Council Inc will provide a new safe house service for women, with or without children, who are escaping domestic violence, Family and Children's Services Minister Rhonda Parker and Federal Family Services Minister Warwick Smith announced today.

Mrs Parker said Family and Children's Services has allocated an initial amount of $70,000 to the service which will increase to an annual funding level of $220,000 once the service has become fully operational. Funding will continue until March 31, 2001.

This funding has been made available under the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP), a joint State and Commonwealth Government program. The SAAP program provides more than 100 accommodation and support services for homeless people or those who are at risk of homelessness throughout Western Australia.

"The service will provide short term emergency accommodation and support to women with or without children who are escaping domestic violence in the Newman area," the Minister said.

"Users of the service will be provided with counselling, support, resource information and referral to other community services as required.

"All assistance provided by the service will be delivered in a manner which is culturally appropriate, in recognition of the diverse population in the Newman area.

"Women using the service will be assisted to develop their knowledge and skills so they are better informed about the options and resources available to them."

Those who have been accommodated will be assisted to move to safe independent accommodation and to maintain themselves in this accommodation.

The funding demonstrates the State and Commonwealth Governments' commitment to providing support and assistance to homeless women and children in Western Australia.

Media Contact: Donna Cole 9481 7810