SERVICES for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence have received a boost, thanks to community and council efforts, together with state government support.
Housing Minister Mick de Brenni and Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Minister Di Farmer visited Cleveland on Wednesday to announce four shelters and funding for a child support worker for Redlands organisation Maybanke.
An extra $250,000 raised in the Redlands, largely through the annual Diner en Rouge event started by mayor Karen Williams, will pay for furnishings and a playground for children staying in the units.
Maybanke president Rosemary Skelly said the funding had been a long time coming.
“The child support worker is vital to our expansion,” she said.
“We couldn’t increase our accommodation if we didn’t have an extra staff member.”
She said there was never enough crisis accommodation for women and children who had experienced domestic violence and the ongoing need for services was evidence that domestic violence was not going away.
“In fact, the level of violence is getting worse,” she said.
Mr de Brenni said the funding would boost the supply of crisis accommodation in the Redlands by building two units at the shelter and head-leasing two properties.
“By building new crisis accommodation units and providing head-lease properties, we can provide a safe place for women and their children to turn to when they need help at such a distressing time and in turn rebuild their independence,” Mr de Brenni said.
Ms Farmer said $76,200 a year would fund a children’s worker to improve the support for children accommodated at the shelter.
“All too often children are exposed to the emotional, physical and mental turmoil of domestic and family violence and can be significantly traumatised,” Ms Farmer said.
Mayor Karen Williams said the Redlands community had strongly supported the call for more services.
“This is an example of what can be achieved when different levels of government work together with the community to deliver for our residents,” Cr Williams said.
The $250,000 includes money raised by the Redland City Choir, a $100,000 contribution by Redlands philanthropist Dan Holzapfel, $50,000 from Ros Kinder and from the Diner en Rouge events.
Redlands MP Kim Richards said she had been advocating for more support for women and children fleeing domestic violence.
“Sadly, Redlands has a need for these types of shelters and we know there has been high occupancy at Maybanke,” Ms Richards said.
