The state's Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister could not provide an opening date for the new Peel domestic violence refuge in parliament, despite conceding the region had a high concentration of domestic violence.
The Mandurah Mail has shared a series of stories highlighting the prevalence of domestic violence in the region and growing need for a new women's crisis centre after the head of Peel's only refuge revealed more than 140 victims had been turned away in the past six months.
Recent WA police statistics revealed Mandurah family assaults are on the rise, with an incident reported every three days, increasing from 80 reports in 08/09, to 143 reports in 17/18.
Mandurah MP David Templeman announced in May 2017 the state government would establish a new women's refuge in Peel, saying the region was in desperate need of more services, but, more than a year on, the community is still waiting.
Dawesville MP Zak Kirkup raised the issue with Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Simone McGurk in a Parliament grievance on September 13.
Mr Kirkup said the delay was causing concerns in the community.
Read more Mandurah Mail coverage on the issue:
- Peel domestic violence refuge date opening unclear, 15 months on
- Mandurah domestic violence assaults clog court
- 'Heartbreaking and frustrating': Calls for refuge to support DV victims in Peel's outer region
- Mandurah domestic violence victims left homeless
- Opinion by journalist Carla Hildebrandt: Victims' struggle to reach light at end of tunnel
- 'The laws are the issue': Police praised by domestic violence support workers
- 'It's an awful thing': Mandurah domestic violence victims left homeless
"It has noted a refuge should be built as a matter of priority, but, what can only be seen from my perspective as an unfortunate delay in getting the facility built," he said.
Mr Kirkup said ministers would be aware of the "stress that delay could cause" in the Peel community.
"When we have a situation, where unfortunately we have a facility that is too small for the rates of domestic and family violence in the Mandurah and the Peel community, it would seem to me that there needs to be urgent priority to support getting a new facility developed," he said.
Worryingly the Peel region as well as the south metro-corridor is an area identified as having a particular concentration of domestic violence.
- Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Simone McGurk
In response, Ms McGurk described family and domestic violence in Western Australia as a "shameful, persistent and damaging trend".
She agreed the Peel region had a particular issue with domestic violence.
"You're right, worryingly the Peel region as well as the south metro-corridor is an area identified as having a particular concentration of domestic violence," she said.
"I'm very conscious of the dynamics in the Peel region.
It would seem to me that there needs to be urgent priority to support getting a new facility developed.
- Dawesville MP Zak Kirkup
"I've visited Pat Thomas House, I've visited Allambee. We need to stay focused on providing these services."
Ms McGurk also acknowledged the work of Peel Says No To Violence.
"The coming together of community that looks proactively and outwardly at the messages it is sending, that violence is never okay, and domestic violence is never okay," she said.
"I look forward to continuing working with you (Mr Kirkup) and the minister (Mandurah MP David Templeman) to deliver a safer community for the Peel region."
Are you experiencing domestic violence? Call police on 000 in an emergency or 131 444 to report an incident. For counselling or support services call the free 24 hour Women's Domestic Violence Helpline on 1800 007 339.
Do you have an opinion? Send a letter to the editor at editor.mandurahmail@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
Follow Carla Hildebrandt on Twitter.
