❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the lack of refuge beds for women and children escaping family and domestic violence, and the government's response outlines increases in refuge capacity and other support services.
AnsweredQoN 230Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Family and domestic violence—refuges
230. Hon Jess Beckerling to the minister representing
the Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence:
I refer to
information I have been provided from the sector today that thousands of women
and children are being turned away from refuges around the state every month.
(1) How many additional crisis beds for
women and children escaping violence did the government deliver in 2025?
(2) How many additional crisis beds for
women and children escaping violence will the government deliver in 2026?
(3) Noting that a significant demand and
supply gap remains, what government-funded supports are available to women who
are turned away from crisis services, to ensure their safety?
230. Hon Jess Beckerling to the minister representing
the Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence:
I refer to
information I have been provided from the sector today that thousands of women
and children are being turned away from refuges around the state every month.
(1) How many additional crisis beds for
women and children escaping violence did the government deliver in 2025?
(2) How many additional crisis beds for
women and children escaping violence will the government deliver in 2026?
(3) Noting that a significant demand and
supply gap remains, what government-funded supports are available to women who
are turned away from crisis services, to ensure their safety?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following response has
been provided by the Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence.
(1)–(2) In 2025, 16 additional units over two
refuges were added. In 2026, 35 additional units over eight refuges will be
added. Since 2017, capacity in refuges has increased by 41%, with 91 additional
units in total.
(3) The Department of Communities
provides practical financial assistance for women and children fleeing
violence, including emergency hotel accommodation, referral services and refuges,
and financial support for family essentials. In addition to investing in
increased refuge capacity, the government invests in a wide range of supports
and services in the following categories: the Safe at Home program; one-stop
hubs; community-based counselling and advocacy, including dedicated supports
for children and young people; community-based outreach services; family and
domestic violence response teams; domestic violence helplines; men's behaviour
change programs; individualised supports, including flexible support funding; and
housing and tenancy-related services, including Housing Families and Rapid
ReHousing.
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following response has
been provided by the Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence.
(1)–(2) In 2025, 16 additional units over two
refuges were added. In 2026, 35 additional units over eight refuges will be
added. Since 2017, capacity in refuges has increased by 41%, with 91 additional
units in total.
(3) The Department of Communities
provides practical financial assistance for women and children fleeing
violence, including emergency hotel accommodation, referral services and refuges,
and financial support for family essentials. In addition to investing in
increased refuge capacity, the government invests in a wide range of supports
and services in the following categories: the Safe at Home program; one-stop
hubs; community-based counselling and advocacy, including dedicated supports
for children and young people; community-based outreach services; family and
domestic violence response teams; domestic violence helplines; men's behaviour
change programs; individualised supports, including flexible support funding; and
housing and tenancy-related services, including Housing Families and Rapid
ReHousing.
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