New Canterbury-Bankstown refuge opens supporting more women and children escaping violence

The $3.8 million refuge has been delivered by Muslim Women Australia providing new crisis accommodation in the Canterbury-Bankstown Local Government Area.

The refuge includes eight self-contained crisis accommodation studios with private outdoor space and an area for pets, allowing families to remain together and plan for the future.

Two studios and the core building are fully accessible for people with restricted mobility.

Muslim Women Australia will also provide specialist domestic and family violence support services in the purpose-built core on site. This includes counselling and meeting rooms, as well as a backyard to help women and children recover and move towards long-term housing and independence.

This investment is part of the NSW Government's $426.6 million Core and Cluster program to expand crisis accommodation and provide on-site specialist support for women and children fleeing violence.

Once all 49 new refuges are complete, the program will support more than 2,900 additional victim-survivors of domestic and family violence each year.

The program is part of the wider work by the NSW Government to provide safe housing for those escaping domestic and family violence, including an historic $5.1 billion investment in social and affordable housing, with at least half the new homes prioritised for victim-survivors, and an additional $130 million for new crisis beds.

The Minns Labor Government's June Budget also provided a landmark $184.1 million to increase funding for six core domestic and family violence specialist programs by 50 per cent, so that victim-survivors can receive timely, life-saving support.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

"Leaving a violent relationship takes enormous courage, but too often women are held back by a lack of safe, suitable accommodation. This refuge has been designed to help families stay together, including those with pets while giving them support to heal, connect and rebuild after trauma.

"By investing in projects like this, we're making it a priority to ensure more woman and children can break free from violence and have access to the support they need, closer to home.

"We know safe housing is the foundation for healing. This new purpose-built refuge in Canterbury-Bankstown is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure no one escaping domestic violence is left without a safe and secure place to heal and start again."

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

"Every woman and child deserves to feel safe. This new refuge will give them that, as well as access to independent living, with flexibility for bigger families, and facilities to support cultural practices.

"By working in partnership with organisations like Muslim Women Australia, we are making sure specialist support is trauma-informed and culturally responsive so they can rebuild their lives with hope and dignity.

"This investment is part of the Minns Labor Government's overall response to domestic and family violence, which includes safe housing, specialist support, early intervention and primary prevention."

Muslim Women Australia Chief Executive Officer Maha Krayem Abdo OAM said:

"More than a building, it is a place where hope can grow, resilience can be strengthened, and people can find not only shelter, but a sense of home, safety and life.

"It represents community, where women are welcomed, supported and given the space and quality support within trauma informed principles to rebuild their lives with confidence and purpose.

"As a faith inspired organisation, our work is guided by values of compassion, mercy, justice and care for others. These values are universal and extend to all people, regardless of faith, culture, background or circumstance. They remind us that every person carries inherent dignity and deserves to be treated with kindness and respect."

Support:

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.

For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, call the Sexual Violence Helpline on 1800 424 017 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For information on Men's Behaviour Change Programs operating in your local area, contact the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491.