New south east domestic violence shelter could be open in 12 months

THE community has rallied to make a new domestic violence shelter for the eastern suburbs a reality after a forum highlighting the need for a new service brought key stakeholders to the table.

A new domestic violence shelter could be up and running in the eastern suburbs in less than 12 months, with a steering committee being formed to raise funds to make it happen. Picture: iStock

• Campaign begins in Randwick for new domestic violence shelter

A NEW domestic violence shelter could be up and running in the eastern suburbs in less than 12 months, with a steering committee being formed to raise funds to make it happen.

Around 30 people attended a forum at Randwick last Thursday, led by Women’s Community Shelters (WCS) chief executive officer Annabelle Daniel and Bayside Council committee member Christina Curry, where community leaders and experts shared statistics highlighting the need for a new service in the region.

Eleven people signed up to be a part of the steering committee on the night, with another 10 “keen and committed people” approaching WCS in the days since ahead of its first meeting next month.

Ms Daniel said her charity would contribute $25,000 — half the set-up cost of a new shelter — with another $25,000 needed to be raised by the local community to move on to finding a suitable rental property to house it.

“WCS will also underwrite up to two-thirds of the annual operating cost of $400,000 for the first two years, and up to 50 per cent per annum after that,” Ms Daniel said.

Women's Community Shelters CEo Annabelle Daniel and Bayside Council's Christina Curry are behind the push to establish a new domestic violence shelter in the eastern suburbs. Picture: Craig Wilson.

“We have all the legalities, policies and procedures in place to get things up and running as quickly as possible.”

The charity recently partnered with the State Government with a view to opening another four shelters by 2018, and Ms Daniel said she was excited about the eastern suburbs refuge being one of those.

“I am extremely confident we could get a service up and running in 12 months if the right people come to the table to join the steering committee, which will form the board of this shelter.

“As we do this community by community, it’s how we’ll achieve change.”

Bidjigal elder Aunty Barbara Simms-Keeley shared her own harrowing personal story of growing up witnessing domestic violence, and is among those who volunteered to be part of the steering committee.

After people raised the importance of cultural awareness regarding indigenous women affected by domestic violence, Ms Daniel said she welcomed community consultation on establishing dedicated services tailored to the local area.

Heffron MP Ron Hoenig was among those who addressed the forum to establish a domestic violence shelter in the eastern suburbs. Picture: Craig Wilson

Vicki Johnston, who has over a decade’s experience working in domestic and family violence in the local area, detailed the vital services needed.

“These women are escaping battlefields of intimate terrorism,” Ms Johnston said.

“They need round the clock, on-site support to hold them gently as they seek to recover from their trauma.

“They also need services providing adequate security measures to protect them, with the capacity to take them in whatever hour their time of need strikes.

“Our vision would be to have dedicated specialist accommodation services, offering safe spaces for women on their journey of liberation from abuse, and their discovery of new life.”

Heffron MP and former Botany mayor Ron Hoenig called on government to do more.

“As treasury bean counters decide they’re not going to allocate funds to this area, they’re effectively sentencing women to death at the rate of one a week,” Mr Hoenig said.

PM Malcolm Turbull says attitudes to women contribute to rate of domestic violence