A community-led initiative to support family safety and combat domestic violence in Derby has received $155,000 in Lotterywest support.
Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation is creating a Men's Wellness Centre in a bid to reduce family and domestic violence.
At this facility, the organisation will provide individual and group counselling sessions and new overnight crisis accommodation.
The centre will also provide more informal supervised space with access to food, shower, laundry and kitchen facilities for men to spend time at during the day, helping reduce interactions with the police in the community.
Lotterywest support of $155,000 will go towards a bus, equipment and furnishings for the centre.
The funding is in addition to the $34.4 million announced in the recent WA State Budget towards tackling family and domestic violence and building safer communities. This included $4.5 million towards addressing family and domestic violence in the Kimberley.
The funding towards government and community-led initiatives are part of the WA Government's Closing the Gap Implementation Action Plan.
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti:
"The recent WA State Budget extended funding for existing programs that tackle family violence in the Kimberley - this Derby community-led initiative will build on those programs.
"Emama Nguda work hard to help their community and the new facility will be another way to enhance social, employment and cultural outcomes for locals."
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk:
"Family and domestic violence is a problem in our towns, our cities and regions - it causes heartache for victims and their families and puts increased demands on health, welfare and housing services.
"Every community is different, and that's why the State Government is investing in tailored FDV services where they are needed most - services that support victim survivors, challenge the underlying attitudes that lead to violence and make our communities safer."
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"We need to focus on making sure our response to family and domestic violence includes support services and spaces for all members of the family in a culturally appropriate way.
"I am excited to follow the work of Emama Nguda and continue to support their bid to create a Men's Wellness Centre."
