Yarrabah’s women’s refuge in Far North Queensland has been congratulated for marking its tenth year on the frontline of the battle against domestic and family violence.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer met with the shelter’s Operations Manager Paula Neal today (4 July) to thank her and her team for helping to provide women and children with a safe place, and to help them plan their future.
Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said one of the reasons some domestic and family violence victims don’t seek help is not having a safe place to go.
“The Yarrabah women’s shelter is an incredibly important service for Yarrabah women and children,” he said.
“That’s why the Queensland Government is delighted to support the Yarrabah community with ongoing funding of more than $450,000 a year to continue to provide this safe accommodation and support for women and children at serious risk of domestic and family violence.
“I want to particularly acknowledge the Yarrabah Aboriginal Corporation for Women who run the shelter and work tirelessly in the community.”
Ms Farmer said additional support services were also provided to the local community through a family wellbeing service delivered by Guriny Yealamucki and a men’s support Warrior Program delivered by Gindaja.
“The Palaszczuk Government is the first Queensland government in more than two decades to build new domestic violence shelters,” she said.
“Construction of Queensland’s two newest shelters is on track to be completed this year, which will bring the numbers of shelters in the state to fifty-four.
“These new shelters will provide women and children with a safe place and support to help them plan their future.
“There is still work to do but I am committed to working hard every day to help break the cycle of domestic and family violence across Queensland.”
While in Yarrabah, Ms Farmer also met Mayor of Yarrabah, Ross Andrews and the head of Yarrabah Leaders Group, Cleveland Fagan.
