Campaign begins to open new Randwick domestic violence shelter

WITH only one domestic violence refuge shelter in the eastern suburbs taking both women and children a campaign to build a new one in Randwick has begun.

Annabelle Daniel from Women's Community Shelters and Bayside Council's Christina Curry are leading the charge to establish a new domestic violence refuge at Randwick. Picture: Craig Wilson.

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A CAMPAIGN to build a new domestic violence refuge in Randwick has begun, with only one centre operating in the eastern suburbs, and the need for crisis accommodation continuing to grow.

“The average number of calls to our shelters from women seeking crisis accommodation right now is ten a day,” Women’s Community Shelters CEO Annabelle Daniel said.

“Last week, our Sanctuary shelter in Sydney’s Hills district took 16 calls in just one day from women with kids who are homeless or fleeing domestic violence.

“Can you imagine what it feels like to be one of our staff, having to say ‘sorry, we’re full’ to a young mum with three kids who desperately needs to leave?”

The St Vincent de Paul Society’s Killara Refuge is the only crisis accommodation shelter currently operating in the eastern suburbs for both women and children. A second accommodates those without permanent residency, while a third takes unaccompanied women.

The St Vincent de Paul Society’s Killara Refuge is the only crisis accommodation shelter currently operating in the eastern suburbs for both women and children. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Daniel has joined forces with Bayside Council committee member and former Botany councillor Christina Curry to lead the charge for the new service.

A forum will be held at The Randwick Club at 7pm on Thursday night to gather support from the local community, and to form a steering committee.

Dr Curry witnessed first hand the growing need for more domestic violence services in the area in her role as patron for Eastlakes’ Deli Women’s and Children’s Centre, an outreach service for women in need supported with grants from Randwick City Council.

“Women and children in the local community who are coming forward for help are often being sent away from the area, meaning they’re sleeping in their cars and the kids are missing school,” Dr Curry said.

“I was connected with Annabelle who has opened four refuges elsewhere, and because there is nothing over this way we put our heads together to really work with the community at a grassroots level, to come together and actually get a refuge up and running.”

Community Women’s Shelters runs services at Manly, Hornsby, in the Hills Shire and the Great Lakes, with local community members providing the backbone by forming a board.

The organisation also provides seed funding to help set up each shelter to help secure a “safe and welcoming” property, and continuing to underwrite funding.

The NSW Community Women’s Shelters generally accommodate six women and their children. Picture: Istock.

The shelters generally accommodate six women and their children — up to 24 people in total at any one time — with staff including a project manager, and others on a 24 hour, seven day a week roster, including child specialists.

Ms Daniel said the refuge would be much more than just a safe place to stay.

“We provide connections with case managers, doctors, counsellors, pro-bono legal services and if required, immigration specialists.

“It’s the advice women need to navigate government bureaucracy when they’re going through a crisis, and conducive to people feeling safe and relaxed so they can move on with their journey.”

Several interested parties from the local community have approached Ms Daniel and Dr Curry over the last few months, with both women stressing Thursday’s forum was open to anyone who wanted to take action.

Minister Brad Hazzard, Coogee MP Bruce Notley Smith and case management team leader Lorraine Ingram at the refurbished Killara Refuge in September 2015. Picture: Craig Wilson.

“The Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Randwick 2017 leadership team is going to be at the forum, and are very keen to get involved and drive initiatives around the refuge,” Dr Curry said.

“I think schools play a large role in creating awareness and providing teaching particularly around respectful relationships.”

“What we need are people interested from right across the spectrum, not only politicians but also from the grassroots level,” Ms Daniel said.

“Homelessness and domestic and family violence is a whole of society issue which needs a whole of society response.”

Randwick Mayor Noel D’Souza said he would welcome the new shelter.

“As a Council, we strongly support domestic violence programs that provide care for families in need as well as helping to identify ways to prevent domestic violence through education programs and awareness campaigns.

“We are also thankful for the work of our NSW Police who help to intervene in domestic violence call-outs and help to support people on the ground who may be at risk.”

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