State Government pledges Budget support for Broome Family and Domestic Violence hub

The State Government will deliver on its election commitment for a one-stop shop-style family and domestic violence hub in Broome with a $16.3 million grant pledged in this year’s State Budget.

Expected to go to tender in July, the Broome hub will provide a diverse range of family and domestic violence support to vulnerable people in Broome, with outreach services to nearby centres in Derby and Bidyadanga.

The facility will prioritise easier access for victim-survivors by reducing the trauma of reliving and retelling their experiences among different services provided.

Registrations of interest from service providers are now open, with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations strongly encouraged to register.

Prevention of family and domestic violence minister Sabine Winton said the hub would provide a culturally safe and supportive environment for those accessing the services at various points in their journey.

“We know that it’s very difficult for victims to sometimes come forward,” she said.

“There is an awareness building and victims are starting to reflect on their own relationships and actually taking charge earlier to prevent the escalation of those violence behaviours in the relationship.”

Statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show the leading cause of homelessness for women with children is family violence, with partner violence causing more illness, disability and deaths than any other risk factor for women aged 25–44.

Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna said having the hub in Broome with centralised services would provide a smoother transition for victims coming forward and seeking the services.

“It’s more comfortable for the survivor to build that relationship in one facility rather than keep being pushed off everywhere,” she said.

“Feeling heard and supported is quite a key thing that the family and domestic violence hub will do.”

The Broome family and domestic violence hub would be the fourth facility in the State, with 1000 people having already accessed the service in Kalgoorlie and Mirrabooka, and the Armadale facility scheduled to open later this year.