- Cook Government delivers vital refuge accommodation in eastern suburbs
- New refuge facility to accommodate up to 28 women escaping family and domestic violence
- Zonta House Refuge Association to operate the facility with 24/7 on-site support
The Cook Government’s new, purpose-built family and domestic violence women’s refuge in the eastern suburbs has been officially opened by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton.
Named Koort Kulaark, which translates to “heart of our home” in Noongar language, the new refuge will accommodate up to 28 women at any one time and has been designed in consultation with a family and domestic violence specialist support provider. The name reflects the refuge’s aim to provide a safe haven for women fleeing family and domestic violence.
The facility will provide women with 24/7 on-site support and wraparound services, including access to specialist wellbeing services to help them rebuild their independence and wellbeing.
The total State Government investment in the project has been $11 million, including $9.7 million in capital funding, which includes $8.7 million announced in 2021 and a further $1 million allocated in 2022. Lotterywest also contributed $1.3 million to the fit-out of the facility.
Lotterywest has also recently awarded a further $170,000 grant to Zonta House Refuge Association to continue providing emergency relief and crisis support to women experiencing family and domestic violence across all their refuges.
Construction commenced in December 2021 and was delivered by Western Australian building company Swan Group. The contemporary design created by Whitehaus Architects includes environmentally sustainable, safe, and culturally appropriate spaces.
Aboriginal Elders, women, and artists have contributed to a cultural narrative throughout the buildings and landscaping.Designed to foster wellbeing and a sense of safety, the outdoor spaces include yarning circles, a water feature, totem poles, a Dreamtime story pathway, fruit trees, spaces for kitchen gardens and a temporary pet shelter.
The refuge is the culmination of several years’ collaboration between the Department of Communities and specialist women’s refuge service provider Zonta House Refuge Association, which will operate the facility.
The opening of the Koort Kulaark refuge coincides with the State Government’s seventh annual 16 Days in WA campaign to stop violence against women and their families.
This year, the campaign’s theme is ‘Play your Part’, which encourages all Western Australians to consider their role in ending family violence. The campaign, which starts 25 November and runs until 10 December, 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.
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton:
“The issue of family and domestic violence is one our Government takes extremely seriously and is committed to addressing. There is no excuse for violence.
“The opening of KoortKulaarkrefuge supports the Cook Labor Government’s commitment to supporting victim-survivors to not only escape violence, but also to rebuild their lives and independence by not only providing a safe place but also wrap-around supports to rebuild their independence.
“Koort Kulaark will provide a safe haven for WA women who are escaping family and domestic violence.
“One in four women have experienced intimate partner violence, and this increases to three in five for Aboriginal women. These are heartbreaking statistics, and we must continue to do everything to shine a spotlight on family and domestic violence.”
Comments attributed to Cannington MLA Bill Johnston:
“I commend the commitment and vision of specialist women’s refuge service provider Zonta House Refuge Association, which is the operator of this facility and championed this project from its inception six years ago. Their vision has helped create Koort Kulaark into a functional, safe, and healing space for women.
“Family and domestic violence is a scourge on our community, and we all have a part to play in breaking the cycle. If you or someone you know is experiencing family and domestic violence, I urge you to seek help.”
As stated by Zonta House CEO Kelda Oppermann:
“Family and domestic violence continues to be perpetrated at unacceptable and devastating rates and severity in our community.
“What victim-survivors have to endure, the ongoing impact and misplaced onus on them to have to manage their safety and changed life due to the actions of others is horrendous.
“Victim-survivors who have had to leave their homes and lives should be treated with utmost care and should have access to choice, safety and dignity.
“I am grateful for what we have been able to create alongside the Department of Communities, Lotterywest, Whitehaus, our Zonta House team, many partners and by listening to women and the community.
“My greatest hope is this safe haven provides a place of rest and the beginnings of the pathway to healing for women.”
