New Women’s Health and Wellbeing Service officially opened on the Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast women will have more help to escape domestic violence and rebuild their lives with the opening of a new women’s wellbeing service funded by the Palaszczuk Government.

Speaking at today’s (8 August) official launch of Laurel Place’s new Sunshine Coast Women’s Health and Wellbeing Service, the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer said the initiative provides longer term support for women and their children recovering from their experience of domestic and sexual violence and trauma.

“Laurel Place has been doing great things in the DV space for some time now, working with women and children who need support,” she said.

“This year, we’ve invested $2.4 million for Laurel Place to extend that support through a range of new services which include the new Sunshine Coast Health and Wellbeing Service.

“Through the new service, Laurel Place will support women in a range of ways depending on their individual needs.

“That might mean help to secure safe housing or to re-enter the workforce, or it might mean assistance to access health services like alcohol and drug support.

“It also includes counselling to help women move through trauma, and parenting support to help them rebuild their family.

“The service will operate from a home base at Maroochydore, but importantly will also provide outreach programs in the community so that women who can’t attend the Maroochydore office in person can also access support.”

Karren Aspinall Executive Director of Laurel Place said for over 35 years the service has been providing speciality support to the Sunshine Coast and Gympie and more recently Caboolture and South Burnett communities.

“Our approach to working with clients is based on an understanding that every woman’s journey to recovery is different,” she said.

“Our staff employ a trauma informed approach to work with clients towards re-building and re-establishing their lives free of violence.”

Ms Farmer said the Sunshine Coast initiative was one of 10 Women’s Health and Wellbeing Support Services operating state-wide.

“Our investment in ending domestic and family violence has been largely crisis driven, focused on helping victims stay safe,” she said.

“This new service recognises the impact of women’s experience of violence and trauma and the effect it has on their health and wellbeing now and into the future.

“Addressing these issues is critical to helping women recover and to re-establish their lives free from violence.”

Ms Farmer said the Palaszczuk Government had invested almost $330 million to implement the recommendations of the landmark Not Now, Not Ever report, with 104 out of 121 recommendations for government now complete with the remaining 17 underway.

For information on what the Queensland Government is doing to support victims of domestic and family violence visit www.qld.gov.au/domesticviolence.

ENDS

Media contact: Cat Milton 0447 177 132