NEW REFUGE TO SUPPORT WOMEN AND CHILDREN LEAVING VIOLENCE

The NSW Liberals and Nationals Government has boosted critical support services for thousands of domestic violence victim-survivors with the funding of 39 new refuges across the state.

Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell welcomed the new refuge to be delivered in his electorate and said once delivered, the new refuge will scale up vital support for women and children.

“These homes provide greater capacity in the Upper Hunter Electorate for safe, private, and independent living spaces for victim survivors and their children,” Mr Layzell said.

“I don’t want a single person in my electorate to be harmed by domestic and family violence, but until we can remove this scourge from our society, it is crucial we have supports in place for victims.

“These new refuges are funded through the largest investment in domestic and family violence supports in NSW history and will provide long-term infrastructure to support women and children escaping domestic and family violence.”

Upper Hunter Homeless Support welcomed the increased investment in support for survivors of Domestic Violence in the Upper Hunter.

“Homelessness and Domestic and Family Violence affect people throughout our electorate,” Upper Hunter Homeless General Manager, Mary Spora said.

“Safe, secure and purpose-built accommodation is an essential step in allowing people to heal and renew their lives, so our organisation is excited to be part of this vital new project.”

Minister for Women's Safety and the Prevention of Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the new refuges delivered under the NSW Government’s Core and Cluster program follows trials in Orange and Griffith.

“These 39 new refuges will be designed in the new Core and Cluster model which is an innovative model that provides independent living and access to critical services such as counselling, legal assistance and further education,” Mrs Ward said.

“Additionally, we have doubled funding for capacity building projects, from $2.2 million to $4.4 million, to support service providers in the delivery of focused and culturally sensitive domestic and family violence services.”

The Perrottet-Toole Government announced $484.3 million in October 2021 to establish new Women’s Refuges in NSW.

PHOTO CAPTION: Muswellbrook Shire Council flying the flag in support of the White Ribbon Foundation.