In a major boost for improving access to suitable accommodation for women and children escaping domestic violence in our region, Anglicare Central Queensland (CQ) will receive $1.468 million to construct emergency apartments, as part of the Morrison Government’s Safe Places initiative.
Safe Places is a $60 million commitment to build new and expand emergency accommodation across Australia for women and their children who are impacted by domestic violence.
As part of this program, AnglicareCQ will be given federal funding to construct three, three bedroom units and one two bedroom unit, which will provide refuge for about 44 local women and their kids each year, for an average stay of 13 weeks.
Federal Member for Capricornia and Assistant Minister for Children and Families, Michelle Landry MP, said that today’s announcement would offer survivors of domestic violence with stable, short-term and self-contained apartments while they are given assistance to move on safely with their lives.
“Unfortunately, it’s a tragic reality that family and domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness for women and children in our community,” Assistant Minister Landry said.
“These new accommodation units will not only ensure that they have somewhere safe to sleep, but will also provide access to specialist support services to help them rebuild their lives free from violence”.
Chief Executive Officer of AnglicareCQ, Carol Godwin, welcomed the funding commitment and said that it was a crucial step forward in helping women to safely escape from violent partners.
“AnglicareCQ is committed to providing safe accommodation and wraparound support to women and children who need it. This funding and the opportunity to partner through the Safe Places initiative will generate a vital community resource to provide families with a sanctuary of safety and healing” Ms Godwin said.
The $60 million Safe Places initiative will help about 6,000 women and children each year in Australia, and is part of the Government’s record $340 million investment in the Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022. This is in addition to the $150 million COVID-19 response package announced earlier this year to tackle domestic violence.
For more information on the Safe Places grants, please visit the Community Grants Hub.
