Older women’s refuge open

St Vincent de Paul Society NSW has officially opened a new bespoke facility which will provide supported crisis accommodation for women over 45 who are seeking refuge from domestic and family violence.
The new building provides independent living for five single women in self-contained accommodation, while also offering access to on-site support services to help rebuild their lives.
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO, Yolanda Saiz, said there was a strong need for specialised, tailored services for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, and for older women, the experience is often coupled with extreme social isolation and disconnection from friends, family and the broader community.
“Often the women are from a culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and because of their age, limited English, minimal family support networks and past trauma, can find it extremely difficult to re-establish themselves in the community,” she said.
State MP for Granville, Julia Finn, said the facility would have a huge impact on the lives of women who were in need of a safe haven, with demand for domestic and family violence services almost doubling over the last five years.
“By delivering more emergency, transitional and long-term housing for victim-survivors, they can feel more confident to leave unsafe relationships,” she said.