- Cook Government commits $4.2 million to expand crisis accommodation for women and children impacted by family and domestic violence in Broome
- The funding will create an additional six supported places for women and children by repurposing a State Government asset into refuge accommodation
- Announcement during 16 Days in WA campaign part of State Government's commitment to end family and domestic violence and build safe communities
The Cook Government is committing $4.2 million over four years to expand crisis accommodation for women and children escaping family and domestic violence in Broome.
The funding will be used to establish a new family and domestic violence refuge by upgrading and repurposing Catherine House to create an additional six supported places for women and their children.
Today's announcement was made in Broome by the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Jessica Stojkovski on day four of the 16 Days in WA campaign.
This expansion will provide a safe haven for victim-survivors, ease pressure on the existing Broome Family and Domestic Violence Refuge and ensure the Kimberley community has access to safe and trauma-informed accommodation while longer-term refuge infrastructure is being developed.
The new refuge accommodation will deliver a culturally appropriate service and reflect the needs of the community in Broome and the surrounding areas.
The service will be delivered by MercyCare, which is also currently operating the Broome Family and Domestic Violence Refuge. The State Government is working towards the procurement of a local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) to take delivery of local refuge services into the future.
The State Government's 16 Days in WA campaign runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day).
The campaign theme for 2025 is "Stopping Family and Domestic Violence: Play Your Part", which encourages everyone to take action to increase awareness, call out disrespectful behaviour and help stop the cycle of violence.
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Jessica Stojkovski:
"As part of the Cook Government's commitment to building safe and inclusive communities it is delivering new family and domestic violence services in the Kimberley region.
"This new refuge will strengthen Broome's response to family and domestic violence by increasing crisis accommodation capacity in the Kimberley.
"Turning Catherine House into a refuge is about creating security, dignity and hope for women and children so they can breathe, recover and rebuild.
"This investment is part of our broader plan to reduce family and domestic violence across WA.
"I would like to acknowledge and thank the local services, Elders, community leaders and frontline workers for their leadership. This refuge is for this community, shaped by this community."
Comments attributed to Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"I welcome the expansion of FDV refuge accommodation in Broome, so more women and children can stay in their own community, close to their support networks, while they rebuild their lives.
"More safe places can save lives, turning Catherine House into another crisis accommodation space of culturally-responsive healing and protection is another way we can assist women and children in our region and continue to work towards breaking the cycle of FDV for future generations."
