Wednesday October 11, 2017

Women's crisis centre opened

Local

Women escaping domestic violence and forced to seek temporary refuge in motels will benefit from a new crisis centre in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.

Jenny Brinkworth

Wednesday October 11, 2017

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The Vinnies Women’s Crisis Centre was officially opened on October 8 in a ceremony led by Sister Meredith Evans RSM and attended by Minister for Social Housing Zoe Bettison, SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, Vinnies national and State presidents Graham West and Cathy Beaton, and BankSA managing director Nick Reade.

Clients are expected to move in after renovations to the former aged care facility are completed later this month. The 20-room facility features spacious bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, children’s play area, communal dining rooms, laundry and kitchen facilities.

It will provide short-term accommodation for women and children experiencing crisis, in particular those escaping domestic violence.

Vinnies will work with agencies in the provision of the service, with referrals and intakes through existing emergency accommodation channels in SA including the SA police and the homelessness gateway.

Described as a landmark service for Vinnies, it is expected to provide a much-needed solution in SA for supportive emergency care for women and their children as an alternative to motel style accommodation in crisis situations.

Vinnies chief executive officer David Wark said a common issue among many women that Vinnie helps was their experience of domestic violence and the enormous impact this has on their health, well-being, finances and families.

“One woman in Australia dies each week at the hands of a current or former partner,” he said.

“It was clear to us a couple of years ago that Vinnies could make a difference to outcomes for women at risk, who are often housed in motel accommodation, and we set about making that happen.

“This new service will provide a wrap-around service where women and their children will have the support of the whole Vinnies community.”

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