New Refuge for Women Escaping Domestic Violence

St Vincent de Paul Society NSW has officially opened a new purpose-built women's refuge in Western Sydney. The bespoke facility will provide supported crisis accommodation for women over 45 who are seeking refuge from domestic and family violence (DFV).

Funding from the NSW Government has allowed the Society to redevelop the existing refuge, one of the only services in NSW that is specifically targeted to older females who are experiencing homelessness and domestic and family violence.

The new building provides independent living for five single women in self-contained accommodation, while also offering access to on-site support services to help rebuild their lives.

For women living at the facility, these trauma-informed, wrap-around services will follow a flexible person-centred framework. Individual support plans will be coordinated by a caseworker and will aim to meet specific health, education, employment, social and legal needs.

“The demand for our domestic and family violence services has nearly doubled over the last five years. We thank the NSW Government and Cumberland and Parramatta council for enabling us to deliver critical accommodation for women who are experiencing domestic and family violence,” said Yolanda Saiz, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO.

“We believe that there is a need for specialised, tailored services for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence. For older women, the experience is often coupled with extreme social isolation and disconnection from friends, family and the broader community.”

“Often the women are from a culturally and linguistically diverse background and because of their age, limited English, minimal family support networks and past trauma can find it extremely difficult to re-establish themselves in the community.

“The new facility offers multiple forms of intensive wrap around supports including crisis accommodation, case management to women within the service and the community, and access to an activities and support program,” said Ms Saiz.  

The new facility has communal areas that allow for social activities and connection, such as a garden, BBQ area and a common room with a kitchen. The pet friendly accommodation means that residents are able to bring their pets with them, something that can often be a barrier to securing emergency accommodation.  

Last year, DFV was the main reason for people seeking assistance from the Society’s housing and homelessness services. The Society supported 2,311 people dealing with domestic and family violence, with three women seeking assistance from DFV services every 8 hours.

Minister for Homelessness Rose Jackson said, “The connection between domestic violence and homelessness is undeniable, with domestic and family violence being the main reason for women seeking support from refuges and other specialist homelessness services.”

“Women escaping domestic and family violence often have very few housing options, especially if they have children or pets. We know that thousands of women become homeless or return to violent homes because they are unable to find alternative places to stay.

“Secure and stable housing is critical to promoting the safety and wellbeing of women experiencing violence. Having best-practice refuge models ensures Specialist Homelessness Services like St Vincent de Paul Society can respond to the needs of victim-survivors, so they can leave unsafe relationships and rebuild their lives financially, socially and emotionally,” said Minister Jackson.

“This is an important service for our local community and will make a huge impact on the lives of women who are in need of a safe haven. By delivering more emergency, transitional and long-term housing for victim-survivors, they can feel more confident to leave unsafe relationships,” said State Member for Granville Julia Finn.

The new service wouldn’t be possible without collaboration with other organisations that help support the best outcomes for residents including RSPCA, Ozharvest, Bunnings and Thread Together. The Society will also be working closely with other Specialist Homelessness Services who refer and support women escaping DFV in the Western Suburbs including Cumberland Women’s Health and DV Line.