Pat Thomas House, Peel only women’s refuge, is calling on the new state Labor government to prioritise a new women’s refuge as demand in the region soars.
The refuge is currently turning away 30 women and 60 children a month, with the number of families seeking shelter expected to rise 40 per cent by this time next year.
Pat Thomas House executive officer Jill Robinson said there just wasn’t enough room to accommodate number of women and children seeking help.
“The refuge can only accommodate six women and up to 18 children, and is struggling with the current demand,” she said.
“Due to the age and design of the building the inadequacy of the facility to handle large families (at times having to split the family); families with disabled or traumatised children and older children with no adequate recreational areas; our concern for women who due to experiencing trauma and crisis and not having a quiet space to work through these challenges is a concern.”
Ms Robinson said a new refuge was desperately needed to ease the pressure on the service.
“With police currently attending seven to 10 incidents of domestic violence a day in the Peel region, the service cannot meet demand, and many local women are being forced to return to violent partners or move out of the area from supports as they have no other place to go,” she said.
The service’s chairwoman Jill Mather said she urged the state government to prioritise a new women’s refuge for Peel.
“The current refuge is more than 30 years old and has several structural problems, with thousands of dollars continually spent on maintenance and upkeep, money which would be better spent on services for the women and children accessing this service,” she said.
During the state election campaign, Premier Mark McGowan promised to build two new women’s refuges.
Nathan Hondros
Senior Journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
Senior Journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
