WOMEN and children escaping domestic violence will have access to new emergency accomodation in Canberra. 

Toora Women, a not-for-profit that’s been delivering gender-specific services to women in the ACT since 1982, were able to purchase and renovate two properties under the federal government’s “Safe Places Emergency Accommodation” grants program.

The organisation received $800,000 under the program, which will support about 60 women and children each year in the greater Canberra region.

Toora Women CEO Susan Clarke-Lindfield said there is a high demand for support services for women escaping violence and limited resources to meet the need.

“We are grateful for this opportunity to offer safe shelter to women and children,” she said.

Women’s Safety Minister Anne Ruston and ACT Senator Zed Seselja visited Toora Women today to congratulate Toora on the opening of its Safe Places project and thank its partners for contributing to this important project.

“Importantly, these new Safe Places include security features and are designed to accommodate women and children with disabilities,” Minister Ruston said.

Minister Seselja said it’s vital women and children have somewhere safe to go when they make the brave decision to leave a violent situation.

“These new places would not only ensure women and children in the ACT have somewhere safe to sleep but would also provide access to specialist family and domestic violence services to help create real and lasting change in their lives,” he said.

The ACT received $2 million as part of the federal government’s $72.6 million Safe Places Emergency Accommodation program.

In total, 44 Safe Places projects Australia-wide will deliver about 780 new safe places assisting about 6340 women and children experiencing family and domestic violence each year.