- New refuge for women and children escaping family and domestic violence opens in Katanning
- Kareba House will be delivered by Palmerston Association in partnership with Kadadjiny Aboriginal Corporation, accommodating up to five women and children
- Funded through the Early Years Partnership, a collaboration between the Cook Labor Government and the Minderoo Foundation
A new refuge for women and children escaping family and domestic violence in the Central Great Southern has officially opened in Katanning.
Kareba House will provide safe accommodation for up to five women, with or without accompanying children. Support will be delivered using a traumainformed approach, including risk assessment, collaborative safety planning, advocacy, referrals to appropriate services, and ongoing case management. The model also incorporates support for mental health and alcohol and other drugs.
The new refuge has been funded by the Early Years Partnership (EYP), a 10-year collaboration between the State Government and the Minderoo Foundation to improve the development, health and learning of children aged 0-4 across the Central Great Southern, Armadale, Derby and Bidyadanga.
The Cook Labor Government has committed $3 million to support the operation of the refuge, along with $1.7 million for a new homelessness case management and outreach service in the region.
Minderoo Foundation has invested an additional $1.9 million into perpetrator intervention and behaviour change programs in the Central Great Southern region.
The need for a refuge service in Katanning was identified by the Central Great Southern community in their Early Years Partnership Community Plan, Koort Boodja Moortabin (Children Growing Strong), which listed family safety as one of five priorities.
The refuge is being delivered by Palmerston Association in partnership with Kadadjiny Aboriginal Corporation. ‘Kareba’ is a Noongar word meaning tenderness and mercy and was chosen with the endorsement of local Elders and staff to reflect the refuge’s purpose as a place of safety, compassion and support.
Established in 1980, Western Australia-based Palmerston Association has a long history as a provider of alcohol and other drugs, mental health, health and wellbeing services that improve lives.
Since 2017 the State Government has invested a record $817.5 million in new funding to strengthen the family and domestic violence system as part of its priority to build safe and inclusive communities.
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Jessica Stojkovski:
“Supporting victim-survivors of family and domestic violence across Western Australia is a priority of the Cook Labor Government.
“Kareba House will provide a safe space for more women and their children who have had to leave their homes to escape family and domestic violence.
“Importantly, this new facility will give victim-survivors the safety and access to the services they need to begin rebuilding their lives.
“Since 2017 this government has added 113 new units through crisis accommodation and other funded programs with 101 more in the pipeline.”
Comments attributed to Early Childhood Minister Sabine Winton:
“Kareba House will enable victim-survivors to have the safety and privacy they need to heal and recover.
“This is another fantastic example of what can be achieved through the Early Years Partnership, prioritising community-led decision-making to implement solutions that build upon the strengths of each community and address their unique challenges.”
As stated by Minderoo Foundation CEO John Hartman:
“Kareba House reflects what can be achieved when communities are supported to lead the way in identifying their own priorities and shaping the solution.
“Through the Early Years Partnership, we are proud to stand alongside the Central Great Southern community and State Government to help deliver a refuge that will make a real difference for women and children experiencing violence, ensuring they feel safe, supported and able to thrive in the place they call home.”
Comment from Kadadjiny Aboriginal Corporation CEO Stuart Roberts:
“At Kadadjiny, we know that lasting change comes when services are built around culture, trust and strong community partnerships.
“This partnership brings together complementary strengths to ensure women and families receive co-ordinated care that recognises their cultural identity, values and their lived experiences.”
