$2.22 million to provide safe housing for domestic violence victims

• New funding will go to a domestic and family violence (DFV) specialist homelessness service to operate a new shelter in Mossman.
• The new shelter will provide accommodation for two families at a time who are escaping violence in far north Queensland.

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The Palaszczuk Government will fund the delivery of a new domestic and family violence (DFV) specialist homelessness service to provide safe and secure housing for women and families fleeing DFV.

Women’s shelters provide secure temporary accommodation where victim-survivors can access specialist support to safely get back on their feet.

With demand for DFV specialist homelessness services in Queensland growing by 58 per cent since 2017, this new shelter will be able to provide some additional much-needed safe accommodation for women and children in the far north.

The Douglas Shire Council recently constructed a purpose-built shelter with funding from the Federal Government’s Safe Places program. The shelter is comprised of two self-contained units suitable for families.

This new funding of $2.22 million will go towards procuring a non-Government organisation to provide a culturally safe service that delivers trauma informed specialist homelessness support for the next four and a half years.

In addition to the shelter, the service will provide mobile support and DFV access and community education services, to reach more DFV victims in the Douglas Shire.

The Palaszczuk Government has continued to increase funding for specialist homelessness services, providing an extra $3.1 million per year, bringing the total investment to almost $39 million this financial year.

An Invitation to Offer will be advertised on QTenders shortly.

Quotes attributable to the Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui:

“This is a great result for Mossman and people living in the Douglas Shire.

“I’m proud to be part of a government which was able to make sure this vital service is funded into the future.

“Domestic and family violence is a scourge on our society and supporting victims-survivors escape violence is one way we can show the community it is unacceptable.”

Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence,Yvette D’Ath:

“Every Queenslander deserves a safe and secure roof over their head.

“We know that victims of domestic and family violence (DFV) often stay with their abusers because they fear their only other choice is homelessness.

“Making sure there is immediate access to safe and secure housing is crucial to helping women and families rebuild their lives when they make the brave decision to leave a violent relationship.

“That’s why we continue to invest in shelters and services that provide a safe haven and invaluable support for DFV victims and their children.

“Under this Government, we have built eight new shelters in Queensland – the first new shelters in 20 years.

“And we will continue to look at what more we can do to ensure victim-survivors have access to emergency accommodation as well as long-term safe housing.”

ENDS

Media Contact: Cullen Robinson 0418 170 474