Referrals, awareness has placed pressure on refuge

A flood of domestic violence victim referrals from police is putting the South West Refuge under pressure, according to the welfare agency.

The refuge had a record 136 referrals from police in March and has averaged about 100 a month since August last year.

The refuge had a startling 30 referrals in a single week last month.

Chief executive officer Anita Shortland said at any one time the refuge was helping 50 women.

And while the welfare agency was catering for a massive number of women and children in need, Ms Shortland said there was “a whole lot of unmet need” as well.

“There were 97 occasions last year where we couldn’t take someone into the refuge when we were full,” Ms Shortland said.

If the refuge cannot accommodate women, it will look for another available spot in the State.

However, the organisation also has a four-stage program in place to expand its services dependent on funding and continued community support.

“We are under pressure and quite often we are full and the next crisis call we get you have to do a risk assessment, which is not ideal.

“There is definitely more need than what we can meet in the region.”

The majority of referrals are for the refuge’s Safe at Home Program, which helps women get back into their homes after a partner has committed a domestic violence offence and has had police or restraining order or protective bail conditions put in place.

“Our two most experienced and senior advocates work with women in their homes to keep them safe and not become homeless or need refuge,” Ms Shortland said.

She said high-profile cases of domestic violence were a factor in the increasing number of women coming forward and reporting abuse.

“Plus population growth, social issues like methamphetamine use and the police are much more aware of referring cases through,” she said.

South West District Supt Mick Sutherland said while the statistics were disturbing, it also showed that people were feeling more empowered to come forward.

“Police take all reports seriously and treat them as a crime and we encourage people to keep coming forward,” Supt Sutherland said.