Two new refuges open in Canterbury-Bankstown LGA

Wednesday, 28 May 2025

The Minns Labor government is continuing to build a safer New South Wales for women and children escaping domestic and family violence, with two new refuges in south-west Sydney opening their doors this month.

Muslim Women Australia will operate two new Core and Cluster refuges in the Canterbury-Bankstown area, providing secure, self-contained crisis accommodation that caters for larger families with children, including multi-generational households.

The NSW Government recognises the unique needs of migrant and refugee women who face multiple challenges that increase the impact and severity of violence and add barriers to seeking support and securing safety.

With that in mind, the government has invested $5.1 million into these two sites to ensure the design and support services provided are sensitive to families from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

The new refuges are designed to enhance privacy, flexibility and support, while ensuring culturally safe environments for clients with diverse needs, including women and children with disability.

Both sites have access to a nearby service hub, where residents will receive culturally appropriate, trauma-informed support that prioritises their safety and recovery.

Other services will include immigration advice and spiritual support alongside counselling, legal assistance, education, and employment assistance.

The NSW Government has invested $426.6 million over four years in the Core and Cluster program to ensure support for more than an additional 2,900 women and children fleeing domestic and family violence across the state each year. The program will see 49 new refuges built across NSW.

The NSW Government is addressing domestic and family violence from all angles, with last year’s budget of $245.6 million invested in boosting crisis and frontline response, justice reforms, earlier intervention and primary prevention.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:

“It’s our absolute priority that women and children who take the significant step of leaving violence and abuse can find the support they need in a community they feel safe and familiar with.

“Victim-survivors of domestic and family violence should never have to choose between homelessness or staying in an abusive relationship.

“These latest refuges will mean more women and children in south-west Sydney can access safe, emergency accommodation and support to heal from trauma and rebuild their lives.”

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

“People from multicultural backgrounds, including migrant and refugee women’s, experience of domestic and family violence can be overlaid and compounded by many factors, and they are less likely to seek help.

“This new refuge in the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA will ensure that women and children who flee violence will have a safe place to sleep at night, and support to rebuild their lives in their communities.

“It’s vital that women and children from all diverse backgrounds have access to safe spaces that encourage recovery and healing, and culturally appropriate support.”

Maha Abdo CEO of Muslim Women Australia said:

"Informed by client voices and frontline experience, this significant expansion of MWA's crisis accommodation services ensures privacy without isolation, cultural and faith-informed care, and flexible, dignified support for recovery and healing."

Member for East Hills Kylie Wilkinson said:

“This is an important initiative for women and children escaping domestic and family violence in my electorate of East Hills.

“MWA are empowering survivors to rebuild their lives and create better futures by providing secure accommodation alongside comprehensive support services. This crucial work and funding will save lives and make a difference in our community for generations.”

 

Support:

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.