EMERGENCY HOUSING OPENS IN BATHURST FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN ESCAPING VIOLENCE

Women and children escaping family and domestic violence in the Central West will have better access to safe housing, with five one-bedroom emergency accommodation units now complete in Bathurst.

Built by Housing Plus with the support of a $398,500 grant from the previous Australian Government, the project will provide accommodation places for 62 women and 125 children each year.

Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee said the emergency accommodation will provide critical support for women and children escaping domestic violence across the region.

“In the 12 months to March 2023, there were 391 incidents of domestic violence related assault in the Orange region, 332 in the Bathurst region, 152 incidents in Lithgow, and 17 incidents reported in Oberon,” said Mr Gee.

“These figures from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research tell a devastating story, showing us that for too many people in our region, home is not the safe place it should be.

“While family and domestic violence can affect anyone, it overwhelmingly affects women and children.

“Tenancy of these units began in March, providing women and children in our region who need to leave an unsafe situation with a secure place to stay and support services to help them get through.

“The $398,500 grant was awarded to Housing Plus through the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation (Safe Places) Grant Opportunity Program.

“The units are fresh, new, and secure. They will make a real difference to the lives of those who need them,” Mr Gee said.

18 safe places have been established in the Central Tablelands through Housing Plus, supporting more than 185 women and children each year.

Safe Places is a capital works program funding the building, renovation, or purchase of emergency accommodation for women and children leaving family and domestic violence.

For more details on the Safe Places program, visit the Department of Social Services website.

Anyone experiencing domestic violence is urged to call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).

ENDS

Media contact: Sinead Fogarty – 0417 852 386