Hannah’s Sanctuary: Secret backer donates $6m to build crucial DV support housing

A mystery benefactor will build a $6 million townhouse complex for women fleeing domestic violence to be named in honour of Hannah Clarke.

A mystery benefactor will build a $6 million townhouse complex for women fleeing domestic violence to be named in honour of Hannah Clarke.

The remarkable project, to be called “Hannah’s Sanctuary”, was announced at Saturday’s Beyond DV Annual High Tea and Fashion Show by the organisation’s founder Carolyn Robinson and Hannah’s parents, Sue and Lloyd Clarke.

Hannah and her children, Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3, were murdered in February 2020 in one of Australia’s most horrific acts of domestic violence.

Her parents have campaigned for the introduction of coercive control laws – something that will now become a reality following the State Government’s acceptance of recommendations put forward by the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce.

Mr and Mrs Clarke have also called for purpose-built transitional accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic violence, believing this could have helped their daughter and grandchildren.

The benefactor – a Queensland property developer who does not want to be identified – contacted Beyond DV after reading about a similar award-winning social project in Victoria.

Hannah Clarke with her son Trey.

In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Mail, the man said he spent some time researching social housing projects and the women who used them before coming across news reports about Hannah Clarke.

“Domestic violence wasn’t on my radar. It wasn’t like it was my sister or my mother had been involved,” he said.

“But the more and more I read about it, the more it concerned me. I started googling it and Hannah’s story came up.”

An illustration of Hannah’s Sanctuary after the turning of the first sod today on its construction. Picture Supplied

The man said he’d had some land set aside for a project and met his family to discuss the possibility of using it for social housing instead.

In May, 20201, the man got in touch with Ms Robinson after finding Beyond DV on Google.

“She must have thought, who is this strange man?” he said.

“She was very careful. And then I threw a question at her and said, what’s your biggest problem … she said probably the accommodation for these women who are affected. She told me in many cases, they end up living in refuges, or sleeping in cars or couch surfing.”

Ms Robinson put him in touch with the Clarkes and their organisation, Small Steps 4 Hannah, and planning for a nine-townhouse complex began.

The man said the project snowballed from there, with suppliers offering to help by providing fittings and much of the design work done for free.

The transitional housing complex will be built in Brisbane and have nine townhouses of up to three bedrooms, a community recreation area and a children’s playground.

Families living at Hannah’s Sanctuary will also have access to a Beyond DV social worker.

The man said he did not want recognition for the project but instead wanted others to consider whether they could be involved in something similar.

“This is not rocket science,” he said.

“I’m sure there’s other people out there who can do it. It takes some effort, but it can be done.”

Hannah's Sanctuary in memory of Hannah Clarke and her children who were killed due to a domestic violence incident. Picture Supplied

Mr and Mrs Clarke said the complex would help keep women safe.

“How wonderful is this?” Mr Clarke said.

“We’ve had conversations about how one day we would love to be able to provide housing for women who need it five or 10 years down the track.

“But ‘Mr X’ has come forward and brought this to reality within two to three years. So this time next year we will hopefully be opening Hannah’s Sanctuary.