Gold Coast refuge owner issues plea for support to help men touched by domestic violence

The Sanctuary has become a safe haven for women, children and pets who have had to escape domestic violence situations, but Simone Patterson wants to support men as well.

The owner of a Gold Coast domestic violence refuge has issued a desperate plea for support as she plans to help more people in need.

Simone Patterson opened The Sanctuary Women, Children and Pet’s Refuge in 2016 after taking out a $1.2m loan which she is still paying off today.

The refuge has become a safe haven for women, children and pets who have had to escape domestic violence situations, but she wants to be able to support men as well.

Ms Patterson has plans to open what she said would be an Australian-first men’s domestic violence refuge, and has called on local authorities for support.

“I am passionate about opening up a men’s refuge, I always have been. I just am at maximum borrowing capacity but before I die, I want to open a men’s refuge,” she said.

“There is nowhere in Brisbane or the Gold Coast, or Australia-wide for that matter, where men can take their children and pets and that’s what I want to start.

Simone Patterson opened a domestic violence refuge six years ago but is still paying off a $1.2M loan. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“I know domestic violence happens with men. When you’ve got a man that’s 100 kilos and the wife is 70 kilos, if she’s on ice (crystal methamphetamine) he can’t control her, it takes six ... police officers to take her down.

“There is a big need in the community for men to be heard and listened to, but for here and now all I can do is women, children and pets.

“I see the stats of how many men kill themselves out of not being heard in domestic violence situations.”

Ms Patterson said she has been left angry and disappointed as people in positions of power continue to leave her in the dark after she calls out for support.

She said she has not received any grants from either the Gold Coast City Council or the government in the six years the refuge has been open.

Instead, The Sanctuary has had to rely on the support of the community to keep the shelter running.

“We have a doctor, a psychologist, we have people that come out and run empowerment groups, yoga and Zumba to help these women be empowered,” she said.

“The most dangerous time for a woman is once she’s left the domestic violence relationship.

Simone Patterson and caretaker Kerrie McCabe. Picture: Nigel Hallett

In saying that, domestic violence touches every postcode.

“The government keep doing the talk first, but no implementation … They’re going to be killed if (more people don’t get this support).”

The social worker was presented with an Order of Australia medal on May 13 at Government House in Brisbane in recognition for her commitment to supporting domestic violence victims.

“It’s a big step forward and any platform where you can get anyone talking about domestic violence is a beautiful thing,” Ms Patterson said.

“It can do nothing but help the refuge moving forward that even royalty, even Australia can recognise that we are doing an amazing thing up there.

“To be given an Order of Australia, it’s very humbling but I still don’t’ believe I deserve it. There’s people creating waves in cancer research and saving hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide.

“To be up there with those sort of people was like, ‘wow, this is pretty amazing.’

In a written statement, a Gold Coast City Council spokesman said the council provides various support options, including rate donations, to properties owned by non-profit entities throughout the city.

“Category five in the Rate Donation, Infrastructure Charges and Development Application Fee Discount Policy relates to properties utilised as crisis and emergency accommodation (such as Escaping Domestic Violence/Women’s Shelters),” he wrote.

The Sanctuary Women, Children and Pets Refuge CEO and founder Simone Patterson attended a recent vigil for domestic violence victims in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. Picture: Jeff Butterworth

“The delivery of domestic and family violence services is primarily the responsibility of the Queensland Government through the Department of Justice and Attorney General.

“Preventing and reducing domestic and family violence in our community requires collaborative action across a range of government departments including the Queensland Police Service, Health, Communities and Housing, as well as through our community, local businesses, sporting clubs and as individuals.”

The spokesman said the Gold Coast City Council had implemented a City Domestic and Family Violence Action Plan, guided by the State Government’s Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy.

“To support the Action Plan, the City delivers a range of services including awareness campaigns; information regarding domestic and family violence in the community; advocating for greater resources such as crisis accommodation, legislative change, funding for services; staff education; and building capacity of local agencies through our community grants program,” he wrote.