00:00The community is experiencing an epidemic in terms of I guess the rise and prevalence
00:08around family violence.
00:10We deliver homelessness and family violence services and there's been unprecedented demand.
00:16I guess essentially we are able to offer I think through this funding, this relates to
00:21service delivery funding for us in that we were basically using a temporary facility
00:28as a refuge while our existing refuge was undergoing significant refurbishment and were able to
00:34negotiate with the government around keeping that refuge open and providing the wraparound
00:39supports that women and children fleeing family violence so desperately need.
00:44I read a little earlier today that you've said that your organisation turned away 1,500
00:51requests for accommodation in the past year.
00:54That's by my count more than four a day.
00:57What does that say about the level of need in WA?
01:00I think it's important to consider that in that we're part of a network of providers
01:06of refuges and accommodation for women impacted by violence so that's just one of the services
01:12within that network that's experiencing that level of demand.
01:16And I think if you also as a homelessness service provider we probably turn away around 10,500
01:23people requesting accommodation across the same period within 2025 and we know that family
01:29violence is a key driver to homelessness so I think we know that there's also I guess a
01:34hidden number within that larger proportion of people that are reaching out for support.
01:39It definitely takes its toll on the women, you know, on the community services and on our
01:44frontline staff in that people don't come into this line of work to have to turn people
01:49away from supports.
01:50And where does that leave, you know, the women who have been turned away?
01:54What are their other options, you know, when frontline services are simply too stretched
02:00to be able to help?
02:02Certainly we have a range of community services that are also I guess at capacity so we're
02:07funded through the department to deliver the domestic violence advocacy service but that's
02:12also, you know, got a significant wait list.
02:15You know, we're never just turning people away without trying to connect them to safety and
02:18supports within the community.
02:20But, you know, obviously there's been significant investment from government and it's certainly
02:24really welcomed in that demand is incredible.
02:28As part of this funding, there's obviously also been money committed for the regions.
02:34I think $6.9 million for the Great Southern, $4.2 million in Broome.
02:38How much of a difference will that funding make in those regional areas?
02:43Yeah, certainly, it's certainly a welcomed commitment by the government.
02:47But there's areas like Port Hedland and there's a range of different regions that are equally
02:53impacted by family violence and we know that that's significant in those locations.
02:58So while it's welcomed, I think there ought to be consideration to locations that haven't
03:03been covered within that expansion.
03:06Yeah, as you say, of course, any investment in domestic violence services is welcomed.
03:11But how much more would you like to see done in this space?
03:15You talk, of course, about, you know, the response to domestic and family violence,
03:20but we know there's also, you know, space for prevention as well here.
03:23Most certainly. I guess what we should be aspiring for as a whole of community
03:29is the need to not have to keep increasing or expanding refuges and
03:33accommodation responses for family violence. We should be aspiring for a community where it's not
03:37required. You know, that's certainly from our point of view.
03:42Very important work that you do there. Sharon Goff, thank you so much for your time today.
03:47Thank you, Melissa.
03:49And if this story has raised any issues for you, you can get help by calling the National Sexual
03:53Assault and Family Violence Counselling Helpline. That number is 1800 RESPECT, which is 1800 737 732.
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