- Cook Labor Government expands Safe at Home to eight locations including Albany from 1 July, helping family and domestic violence victim-survivors remain safely in their own homes
- Funding also extended for regional men's behaviour change programs
- Progress on Albany Refuge also continues with election commitment increasing crisis accommodation for women and children escaping family and domestic violence
- Addressing family and domestic violence part of Cook Labor Government's commitment to building safe and inclusive communities
The Cook Labor Government is expanding family and domestic violence supports in the Great Southern, with a new Safe at Home service for Albany and continued investment in local men's behaviour change programs.
Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Jessica Stojkovski visited Albany today to announce the expansion of the Safe at Home program to eight new locations across regional Western Australia as part of the Cook Labor Government's $11.5 million election commitment to expand the service from 1 July 2026.
Safe at Home helps victim-survivors remain safely in their own homes, or a home of their choice where it is safe to do so, through risk assessment, safety planning, security upgrades, and intensive in-home support.
The Cook Labor Government is also increasing the Safe at Home funding for each service provider, from $25,000 to $35,000 per year, meaning even more victim-survivors can access this vital service.
The Cook Labor Government is also extending funding for the regional men's behaviour change program in Albany for a further two years.
Delivered by Anglicare WA in partnership with Kadadjiny Aboriginal Corporation in Albany, the programs include Changing Tracks and Caring Dads, which provide timely, evidence-based interventions for men who use coercive, controlling, or abusive behaviour in their intimate and family relationships.
The investment forms part of the Cook Labor Government's commitment to both supporting victim-survivors and addressing the drivers of family and domestic violence through early intervention and behaviour change.
Minister Stojkovski also inspected progress on the new Albany Refuge, which is being delivered with support from the Commonwealth Government's Safe Places Program.
The Cook Labor Government will invest a further $6.9 million towards the completion of stage two of the Albany Refuge, delivered by Southern Aboriginal Corporation and Anglicare WA.
The investment, which includes capital and program management costs, will deliver an additional six self-contained accommodation units, bringing the total number of units at the refuge to 12.
Once complete, the refuge will provide safe, secure, and trauma-informed accommodation for women and children escaping family and domestic violence, supporting victim-survivors to heal and rebuild their lives.
Completion of stage one, including service commencement, is expected in the second half of the year and full project completion is anticipated in mid-2027.
Since 2017, the State Government has invested a record $817.5 million in new funding to strengthen the family and domestic violence system as part of its priority to build safe and inclusive communities.
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Jessica Stojkovski:
"It is vital that victim-survivors of family and domestic violence have the option to stay in their homes, if it is safe to do so, and have a choice about where they live.
"The expansion of Safe at Home to Albany will help more women and children remain connected to their workplaces, schools, early learning centres, and support networks while they recover from family and domestic violence.
"We are also maintaining our focus on perpetrator accountability by extending funding for regional men's behaviour change programs, which play an important role in challenging abusive behaviour and helping to break the cycle of violence.
"Supporting victim-survivors and addressing the drivers of family and domestic violence must go hand in hand if we are to create safer and more inclusive communities."
As stated by Albany MLC Sam Rowe:
"The expansion of Safe at Home and the men's behaviour change programs to Albany are welcome initiatives in the Great Southern region.
"By providing direct support to women and children affected by violence and challenging harmful behaviour in perpetrators, both programs are critical to addressing family and domestic violence, building a safer and more inclusive Albany."
As stated by Anglicare WA chief operating officer Philippa Boldy:
"The expansion of community-based family and domestic violence supports through the Safe at Home program in Albany is a powerful step forward in ensuring people experiencing family and domestic violence can access safety, stability, and support without having to leave their homes or communities. It reflects our shared commitment to putting victim-survivors first, strengthening local responses, and working together to prevent violence before it escalates. We are very pleased to see this investment in Albany, helping build a safer, more resilient community for everyone.
"Importantly, we must also continue investing in responses for people who use violence. Supporting behaviour change and accountability is essential if we are to break the cycle of harm and create safer communities for everyone. The State Government's extension of the Albany men's behaviour change program will enable greater impact of this program in the local community through our partnership with Kadadjiny Aboriginal Corporation."
