New Ellenbrook crisis accommodation helping women and children escape domestic violence
Accommodation centre and Safe at Home Program form the new Ellenbrook Family and Domestic Violence Accommodation and Support Service
A new crisis accommodation centre for women and children escaping family and domestic violence has opened in Ellenbrook.
Child Protection Minister Andrea Mitchell said the new accommodation, together with the Safe at Home Program, was part of the State Government's commitment to strengthening its response to domestic violence.
"The crisis accommodation offers five independent units of various sizes to accommodate larger families and those families with older boys," Ms Mitchell said.
"Women and children will be able to live safely without the fear of violence, and regain their independence."
The Safe at Home Program provides emotional, financial and legal support to families living at the units, as well as to at-risk women in the community.
"The State Government is committed to increasing crisis accommodation options for women and children escaping family and domestic violence, and preventing them from falling into homelessness," Ms Mitchell said.
Housing Minister Colin Holt said construction of the $2 million crisis accommodation was a collaborative partnership between the Department for Child Protection and Family Support and the Housing Authority.
Fact File
The Department for Child Protection and Family Support has contracted Patricia Giles Centre Inc. to operate the Ellenbrook Family and Domestic Violence Accommodation and Support Service
WA Police respond to about 40,000 family and domestic violence incidents from across the State annually. In more than 65% of these cases, children are present
In 2015-16, the State Government will provide $34.6 million to deliver family and domestic violence services across Western Australia
Women's Domestic Violence Helpline is free call 1800 007 339
Men's Domestic Violence Helpline is free call 1800 000 599
Safe at Home Ellenbrook - 9374 0747
Child Protection Minister's office - 6552 5400
Housing Minister's office - 6552 6100
