The Barwon region has a new Women’s Family Violence Refuge the Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre (The SAFV Centre) announced this week.
The purpose-built multi-unit crisis accommodation facility for women and children who are at high risk of further and immediate harm from family violence is a safe place to stay as they re-establish their lives and move through their journey toward recovery from family violence, in a safe, supported, calm and welcoming space.
The location of the refuge was not released due to the privacy and safety of clients and staff.
CEO of The SAFV Centre Helen Bolton said the refuge aims to provide a welcoming, respectful and dignified accommodation to those that need it most in our community.
“We have a long and proud history in providing communal style refuge services to the community, with our first refuge established in 1985, and since then we have provided many women and children with high security accommodation, advocacy and support,” she said.
“We are now officially open and welcoming women and children. Referrals to our refuge come through from Victoria’s family violence referral service, Safe Steps, and women and children may be seeking refuge from anywhere across Victoria.”
The refuge offers six self-contained units, with a mix of one, two and three bedroom units and all units offer disability access, with one unit specifically designed as an Accessibility Unit. The refuge is staffed 24/7.
“This new model of refuge offers women and children privacy and independence, rather than the former model of women sharing a communal house,” Ms Bolton said.
“Parenting through family violence can, at times, be difficult and overwhelming, even more so when you have to relocate. Individual units allow women the space, security and privacy they need to respond to their child’s safety and emotional recovery following trauma.”
If you or someone you know needs support, contact reception@safvcentre.org.au or telephone on 03 5222 4318 for Barwon support. For support after hours, contact safe steps (24 hours) on 1800 015 188 or the Sexual Assault Crisis Line (24 hours) on 1800 806 292.
