THE region’s peak domestic violence service has sought to reassure women fleeing abusive partners crisis accommodation is available despite an increase in domestic violence reports.
Centrecare Limestone Coast Domestic Violence Service manager Susie Smith said a number of short-term and long-term options were available for women escaping domestic violence.
Ms Smith said as well as providing supported accommodation in one, two and three-bedroom houses, the centre also provided emergency accommodation facilities.
She stressed all women leaving domestic violence situations needing housing assistance would be accommodated.
Ms Smith highlighted a lack of holistic and centralised assistance to women experiencing family violence and a desperate need for specialist domestic violence workers as being among the primary issues in the region.
However, she welcomed the State Government’s pre-election pledge to improve service delivery by co-locating community organisations and government through “safety hubs”, which would help connect people directly to services and provide a coordinated approach to a range of different needs.
“Having a safety hub is like having a one-stop shop, where women can access a range of different services for different needs,” she said.
“Services like a specialist family violence solicitor to tell her what her legal rights are and support her if she needs to give evidence and a financial counsellor who can look at the situation and plan for the her independence are really important to have in one central location.
“Ideally we would like to boost our resources to extend services further to areas like Millicent, Naracoorte and Bordertown.
“Women who live in areas outside Mount Gambier are at higher risk of domestic violence as perpetrators are more likely to be able to get access to firearms and communities are so much more conservative and less likely to report.”
If you require assistance contact the Domestic Violence Gateway on 1800 800 098 or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or in an emergency dial 000.
