New Aboriginal focused refuge opens in western Sydney

Thursday 2 May 2024

A new refuge is opening in Western Sydney to provide Aboriginal women and children fleeing violence with a safe space to heal. 

The NSW Government is working to reduce the rate of family and domestic violence against Aboriginal women and children. 

As signatories to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, one element of this work is co-design and community-led responses, with a focus on self-determination, early intervention, healing and recovery for Aboriginal families – including men who use violence. 

The new refuge, Wirrawee Gunya Dharruk, offers culturally sensitive support to Aboriginal victim-survivors and is staffed by skilled Aboriginal women. It will provide accommodation and outreach to 290 Aboriginal women and their children each year. Other services include counselling, legal assistance, safety planning and support to achieve their goals. The support will extend to women and their children living in the community.

The NSW Government is investing $1.8 million over 3 years in the service, which will be delivered by DV West.

This is just one of the many initiatives the NSW government has implemented to respond in a meaningful and sustained way to reduce the high number of Aboriginal women and children who are impacted by family violence. 

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data shows that almost three-quarters of assault hospitalisations involving Aboriginal people were due to violence from an intimate partner or family member. 

Wirrawee Gunya Dharruk commences taking referrals this month.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said: 

“Family violence wreaks devastation throughout the community and we know that Aboriginal women and children are over-represented as victim-survivors.

“The impact of family violence can lead to destructive social, cultural, spiritual, physical and financial consequences for women and children.  

“Services such as Wirrawee Gunya Dharruk recognise and build the mother’s protective actions in keeping herself and her children safe from perpetrators of domestic, family and sexual violence and empower them to heal from the trauma.” 

DV West’s Manager of Aboriginal Services & Development Terrieanne Hughes said:

“Wirrawee Gunya Dharruk offers a secure environment and support to connect to culture and community.

“When a woman makes the decision to leave domestic and/or family violence, she needs a safe place to start rebuilding her and her children's lives,” 

“Wirrawee Gunya Dharruk is staffed by experienced Aboriginal women who will provide culturally safe, sensitive and appropriate services to Aboriginal women and their children to begin their healing journey free from violence.”