New shelters opening for domestic violence victims

Two new 72-hour crisis shelters for women and children fleeing domestic violence will be opened in December.

Minister for Communities and Women, Shannon Fentiman and Minister for Housing and Public Works Leeanne Enoch said the two shelters – located in Brisbane and Townsville - will be open and accessible 24 hours a day.

Minister Fentiman announced in February that the two shelters would be established as the first commitment to a recommendation in the Not Now, Not Ever report.

“When women make the brave decision to leave a violent relationship, we must make sure we have the support and services there to help,” Ms Fentiman said.

“These new shelters will give women and children a secure haven where they can feel safe and get the professional support they need to start afresh.

“Shelter staff will link women with specialist services to provide support until they have safe, stable housing in place, as well as connecting them with ongoing support about court, health or other issues.”

“The new services will also provide mobile support to any women still needing to be placed in motels.”

Minister Enoch said the Government had worked tirelessly to ensure the shelters would be operational by the end of the year, in recognition of the seriousness and urgency of domestic and family violence in Queensland.

“The Brisbane Crisis Shelter will offer 11 two bedroom units of supported accommodation,” Ms Enoch said.

“This will reduce the number of women having to go to motels when they are fleeing a violent situation.

“These shelters will have increased security and privacy including CCTV, higher fencing, privacy screens and secure gates.

“One of the unique aspects of these shelters is they will cater for pets, which was a recommendation from the Not Now, Not Ever report, given women in violent situations can also have threats made against their pets.”

The shelter in Townsville will provide 10 supported two and three bedroom properties across the city.

The Government has allocated nearly $20 million over four years for the establishment and operational costs of the new shelters.

The Department for Housing is also providing $21.8 million in 2015-16 for 56 specialist homelessness services to help women and children escaping domestic violence across Queensland.

For more information on the Government’s actions to tackle domestic and family violence in Queensland go to the Department of Communities website. 


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