Mobile DV service provides Roma women with support

The new Roma women’s shelter is scheduled to open in May this year, helping even more women and children escaping domestic and family violence in the south-west region.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer said the new shelter would ensure women and children who made the courageous decision to leave their family home and escape violence had the support they needed.

“While we wait for the shelter to open Save the Children has been funded to run a mobile support service in the region and temporary accommodation,” she said.

“There has been an ongoing, steady demand for this new Roma service in the early part of 2018, with seven women and 11 children supported in February 2018.

“We know that when women make the incredibly brave decision to leave a violent relationship they are at their most vulnerable.

“That’s why it’s absolutely essential that the right support and services are in place to help them, at the right time.

“That’s exactly what this mobile support service is doing while we get on with the job of establishing the new shelter.”

Ms Farmer said the Palaszczuk Government was the first Queensland government in more than two decades to build domestic violence shelters.

“Once it’s up and running, this new shelter in Roma will provide a minimum of five accommodation places that will actively support women and children,” she said.

“Save the Children has done a fantastic job working in the south-west region, and once the new shelter is open, the State Government will continue to provide funding of $560,000 per annum to the organisation to operate the women’s shelter.”

Ms Farmer said the Queensland Government would continue to invest in women’s shelters and mobile support services.

“We know they play a vital role in keeping women and children who are fleeing violent situations safe, and connecting them to additional support services,” she said.

“That’s why in the 2017-18 State Budget a record $28.89 million was allocated to women’s shelters and support services.”

For more information on the government’s actions to tackle domestic and family violence in Queensland go to www.qld.gov.au/notnownotever

ENDS

Media Contact:                      Ron Goodman                       0427 781 920