Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan has welcomed the decision to establish women’s refuges in her electorate.
Wollondilly and Wingecarribee will each get a refuge by 2026, says the NSW Government, which has announced a total of 10 new refuges.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home,’’ says Ms Hannan, pictured above outside her Tahmoor office.
“Tragically, that’s not the lived experience of too many women and children experiencing violence in Wollondilly.
“These Core and Cluster refuges will empower more women to make that decision to put the cycle of violence behind them and rebuild their lives.”
The Core and Cluster refuge model promotes independent living by providing self-contained accommodation located next to a “core’’ of support that facilitates access to services such as counselling, legal assistance, education, and employment support.
Wollondilly mayor Matt Gould has also welcomed the announcement.
“Sadly, the scourge of domestic violence is a growing problem in our community and we need to do all we can to fight it,’’ he said.
“I am very pleased to welcome funding for a women and children’s refuge in our Shire and thank the NSW Government for responding to calls for this important service.
“Thank you to all those who advocated so strongly for a local refuge, including our local member Judith Hannan, Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren, and the Wollondilly councillors who recognised this need in our community,” he said.
“Family violence is something that causes serious harm to the health, safety and wellbeing of the those who experience it.
“A local refuge will provide women and their children safety, dignity, and the chance to recover from the trauma of domestic and family violence.”
