Parramatta Women’s Shelter to open home in Cumberland area

The scourge of domestic violence is tightening its grip on society but a shelter will provide a ‘beautiful’ retreat free of trauma when it opens in Sydney’s west. Take a look inside.

Adam McWhinney (Temple & Webster), Jo Lang (Evolve Housing), Annabelle Daniel (Women's Community Shelters), NSW Governor Margaret Beazley, Tania Smith and Jane Cummins from Parramatta Women's Shelter and Jitender Belani from Evolve Housing.

Parramatta Women’s Shelter is about to open a 11-unit home in the Cumberland area to address the rise in domestic violence plaguing families.

“The demand’s huge at the moment,’’ PWS executive officer of client services Tania Smith said.

“We’ve noticed a significant rise with the rental crisis and the cost of living that our referrals have increased exponentially.’’

More than 900 domestic violence incidents were reported in the Cumberland area last year and about 2000 were reported across Parramatta.

Across NSW over the past five years, domestic violence assaults increased significantly by 3.2 per cent on average.

Parramatta Women's Shelter executive director of client services Tania Smith inspects one of the apartments.

The number of unreported incidents means the statistics are even higher and driving the need for crisis accommodation such as the Cumberland shelter, which will be the 11th facility Women’s Community Shelters has opened.

It operates crisis accommodation along with Parramatta Women’s Shelter and community housing provider Evolve Housing.

One of the comfortable bedrooms.

One of the living spaces.

The building contains a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments which furniture company Temple & Webster has kitted out with crisp, neutral tones.

Ms Smith says it will mean more than just an aesthetically-pleasing palette to families.

“Having everything brand new makes such a difference,’’ she said.

“They just look gorgeous. It also gives the women and the families a sense of self-worth.

“They have a beautiful space where all can just come and breathe, and a sense of self-worth. They deserve to live in a nice space free of violence and abuse.’’

The self-contained units are spacious and have large balconies.

“I think the families are going to be really happy,’’ Ms Smith said.

The facility is the first to open since a shelter started operating in the Parramatta area at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 when lockdowns prompted more violence.

Now the cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated domestic violence.

“I think it’s a perfect storm,’’ Ms Smith said.

To seek help, call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).