The McGowan Government has delivered on its commitment to double accommodation capacity at the Andrea Mia Women’s Refuge in Kwinana.
Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk today officially opened and toured the $2 million refuge expansion, which was funded through the WA Recovery Plan to provide additional support for women and children fleeing family and domestic violence through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The building works completed this month have significantly increased the accommodation capacity of the refuge, enabling more women and children to safely escape circumstances of family and domestic violence. The Kwinana refuge had been operating with six accommodation units since it was opened by the McGowan Government late last year.
The project was prioritised as part of the WA Recovery Plan, which is helping to drive WA’s economic and social recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and has created jobs across the State.
The Andrea Mia Women’s Refuge expansion has been supported by service provider Lucy Saw Centre Association, which delivers services with a focus on support for women with disabilities, older women, women from Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and women with large families, including older boys.
A $100,000 Lotterywest grant that was awarded to the Lucy Saw Centre Association has supported the fit out and furnishing of the six additional units at the facility.
The women’s refuge expansion is also part of the State Government’s ‘Path to Safety: Western Australia’s Strategy to Reduce Family and Domestic Violence 2020-2030’, which sets out a whole-of-government and community plan for reducing and responding to family and domestic violence over the next decade.
The launch of the Andrea Mia refuge expansion coincides with day two of the State Government’s fifth annual 16 Days in WA campaign to stop violence against women and their families.
The 16 Days in WA campaign promotes community awareness and challenges views that can prevent survivors from seeking help or assistance. It also seeks to put an end to behaviours that allow victim blaming to occur.
More information on the campaign, which has a theme of ‘Don’t be silent when you see violence’ in 2021, and the campaign kit with a list of 16 ways to take action is available online.
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk:
“Family and domestic violence is never acceptable, but it is a significant issue across Western Australia.
“The McGowan Government has prioritised projects to help keep at-risk women and children safe.
“The Andrea Mia Women’s Refuge operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provides a safe space for survivors to break free from the cycle of violence and begin working to get their lives back on track.
“The Lucy Saw Centre Association delivers quality care to vulnerable women and children at a time of great need.
“The opening of the expanded Kwinana refuge comes as the 16 Days in WA campaign continues to gain momentum. When we raise the issue of violence against women and call for change, we can help to bring an end to violence against women.”
