Women and children escaping family violence in Morwell will soon have access to new safe and secure accommodation with the support services they need to help rebuild their lives.
A family violence refuge under construction in Morwell is one of 17 being redeveloped across the state to provide privacy and safe homes for women and their children.
The Andrews Labor Government has invested more than $70 million to upgrade refuges and build two new Aboriginal family violence refuges, following recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
Under the new model there will be a mix of one, two and three-bedroom self-contained units for women and their children as well as support services on-site. In Morwell these will be offered by Quantum Support Services.
This new model addresses barriers women face when seeking crisis accommodation. As noted by the Royal Commission, communal refuges can be stressful and confronting – the new model changes the way agencies deliver their services and offers women and their children independence and privacy.
Currently most of Victoria’s refuges are communal with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities and bedrooms shared by women and their children – the new model will offer independent units and 24/7 on-site support.
This model offers greater disability access and enclosed spaces for pets in some homes.
Construction on the Morwell refuge is continuing and expected to be completed by the end of the year. All 19 of the new facilities across the state are expected to be finished by late 2020.
On completion the Morwell facility will be able to accommodate up to seven households (including women and their children) at any time, up from its current capacity of four households.
The Labor Government has invested an unprecedented $2.9 billion to prevent family violence and keep women and children safe and is implementing all 227 of the Commission’s recommendations.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams
“Women and children deserve to feel safe from the threat of family violence – this Morwell refuge will care for more victim survivors and help them rebuild their lives.”
“We’ve invested an unprecedented $2.9 billion to prevent family violence and keep women and children safe and we’re implementing all 227 of the Commission’s recommendations, with more than half completed.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020