New Peel women's drop-in centre welcomed by community

The Mandurah Mail has run a six-month campaign highlighting the prevalence of domestic violence in the region, interviewing Safe Woman Safe Family centre co-facilitator Tanya Langford in September, who shared the struggles victims faced.

Dozens of people attended the open day on Friday, led by centre facilitators, Ms Langford and Irene Lydon, who are both domestic violence survivors.

The premise at 14 Camp Road, was provided by the Shire of Murray in December 2018, turning what would have been a car park into a safe space for women.

Ms Langford said the main focus of the hub was supporting, helping and empowering women who have been affected by any form of violence, abuse and trauma.

"We have a whole range of therapies, in-house programs and beautiful spaces for women to enjoy," she said.

"We have a team of 20 volunteers who will be peer support mentors."

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Ms Lydon said abused women were suffering in silence.

"I was raised around it and lived and breathed it in a brutal first marriage," she said.

"It has a rotten smell to it and it's happening on a daily basis."

Ms Langford said the centre would fill a "much-needed gap".

"We know the Mandurah and Peel region have very high rates of domestic violence compared to other areas in the state," she said.

"There is very little support for women in Pinjarra, the Shire of Murray and the outlying areas like Waroona and Boddington.

"We know that isolation is a key issue in these areas and it's hard for women to access any kind of help."

Ms Langford said the centre differentiated from the second Peel refuge, announced by the state government earlier this month, because it focused on tackling the complex issue as a whole.

"Whilst refuges are important for what they deliver and we need them, another refuge has no bearing on these massive social issues," she said.

"The long-term impacts of domestic violence are affecting women in our community."

Ms Langford said the centre was collaborating with Relationships Australia, Palmerston Drug and Alcohol Service and Peel Legal Service.

"Women can link into the different programs we are offering or just come and hang out in the garden," she said.

Shire of Murray president David Bolt said domestic violence rates were "staggering".

"We are so proud to be supporting this project," he said.

"We've ignored this problem for too long and we need to focus more energy on it. This is going to be a wonderful facility and service to our community."

Murray-Wellington MP Robyn Clarke said she would always be the facility's "number one supporter".

"This is something the region desperately needed," she said.

Canning MP Andrew Hastie said the domestic violence figures in Peel were "distressing" and his aim was to get more men involved with fighting the issue.

The centre is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.

For more information visit www.safewomansafefamilywa.com.

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.