A new Safe Places facility will provide emergency accommodation for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence in the Southern Shoalhaven.

Funded by the Albanese Labor Government’s Safe Places program, Supported Accommodation & Homelessness Services Shoalhaven and Illawarra (SAHSSI) Safe Places sites across the region will provide 32 safe places, assisting up to 256 women and children experiencing family and domestic violence each year.

Opened in February this year, the Southern Cross Community Housing Safe Places site in Ulladulla is made up of six studio apartments and will assist up to 24 women and children.

Federal Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, visited the Safe Places sites in the Illawarra earlier this week.

“Women and children face significant challenges when leaving family and domestic violence,” Minister Rishworth said.

“These new Safe Places sites will assist more women and children experiencing family and domestic violence, by ensuring they have a safe place to go and can access necessary specialist services.

“Our government remains determined to tackle the scourge of family, domestic and sexual violence. It’s simply unacceptable.”

Federal Member for Gilmore joined minister Rishworth for a tour of the newly opened facility in Ulladulla on Tuesday morning, and met with both tenants and front-line workers.

“Visiting the new Safe Places emergency accommodation gave me an opportunity to meet the women and children who have experienced family and domestic violence, and to hear their harrowing personal stories first-hand,” Mrs Phillips said.

“It was great to speak with the wonderful frontline workers who are helping these women and children by providing a safe haven for them, and also providing the absolutely vital support they need to move forward.

“One life lost to violence against women is too many, and deaths of women at the hands of men who profess to love and care for them has to end.”

The Albanese Labor Government’s Safe Places program funds the renovation, building or purchase of new crisis or emergency accommodation to support women and children experiencing family and domestic violence.

More information on the Safe Places program is available on the Department of Social Services website.

If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.

If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au

Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Photo: Federal Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth and Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips visited the new Safe Place in Ulladulla.