SUPPORT services for victims of domestic violence received a boost on Wednesday, thanks to a $200,000 funding grant from the State Government.
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Member for Bathurst Paul Toole announced $200,000 for Housing Plus, to help establish a locally based women's and children's refuge, which is being built to support victims of domestic and family violence.
The location of the units cannot be disclosed to protect those who will eventually be using the service.
Penny Dordoy, head of community services with Housing Plus, welcomed the funding grant, saying it was vital that women and children escaping domestic violence know there is support available and somewhere safe for them to go.
She said once complete the units will have their own kitchen, lounge room and bathrooms, while the complex they are housed in will also have communal areas as well.
"They will replicate normal life, with some communal areas," she said adding the shared areas would be a place where women and children could go to support one another.
Ms Dordoy said families utilising the service would receive 24-hour wraparound support, which included access to a 24-hour support line, in addition to a range of other services providing support to women and children.
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It is expected those utilising the emergency accommodation will stay an average of three months, however if their accommodation issues are not resolved by that time they can remain at the unit until they are ready to move.
Ms Dordoy said the service will operate alongside existing services run by Wattle Tree House.
David Fisher, CEO, Housing Plus, said construction of the new units will go to tender in March. It is expected they will take six to eight months to build.
Mr Toole, who visited the site on Wednesday, said the refuge will provide much needed emergency accommodation to families in Bathurst and surrounds.
Mr Toole said the refuge is expected to support five to six families at any one time, or about 50 families a year.