Women impacted by domestic and family violence can now access much needed, specialist services at the dedicated Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre in Shellharbour.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park and Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson joined Centre staff and key stakeholders to celebrate the official opening of this important milestone for Illawarra women and families.
The centre is an initiative of the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre and the first of its kind in Australia. It will provide specialised, individualised, long-term support to women recovering and healing from the trauma of domestic and family violence and abuse.
The Centre was co-designed with women with lived experience, professional experts and service providers and recognises the need for care to go beyond crisis intervention to addressing the long-term impact of trauma.
Under the model, women and families will receive specific multidisciplinary and multisectoral support to improve long-term health and psychosocial outcomes, including breaking the cycles of ongoing exposure to violence, and intergenerational trauma.
The NSW Government provided $2 million in the 2023-24 Budget to the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre to establish and refurbish interim premises for the Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre.
This funding is in addition to the $2,745,500 funding enhancement to Illawarra Women’s Health Centre across four years as part of the NSW Government election commitment to boost funding to Women’s Health Centres by $34.3 million over four years.
For information about the Centre and its services, visit Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre.
If you are in immediate danger, please contact emergency services on Triple Zero (000).
If you are experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, you can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“The official opening of the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre is a really important day for the survivors of domestic and family violence across the region and those who have championed this facility.”
“The Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson and Executive Director of the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre Sally Stevenson have been fierce and tireless advocates for wanting to improve how we support women who experience and live with domestic and family violence.”
“I know the Centre’s Chief Executive Maree Kerr and the team who have been working on this for years, as well as those who are newly onboard, can’t wait to get to work. I wish them all the very best.’’
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison:
“Domestic and family violence is a devastating reality for many. This Centre, and the wraparound support it provides, will help disrupt the cycle of abuse and give women a safe space to recover and heal.”
“This is an important day for women in the Illawarra and women who carry complex trauma as a result of gendered violence more generally, with dedicated supports now available to help them rebuild their lives.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson:
“I am so happy to see the doors of the Centre finally open to women in need. Both the model of care and the fit-out of the Centre have been co-designed with women with lived experience and I thank these women for their bravery and their commitment to help others.”
“The centre will make a life-changing difference to women experiencing domestic and family violence, with a model of care that gives them a chance to heal and recover – and the assurance that they will be supported all along the way.”