Responding to the domestic violence crisis

The statistics are alarming: a 37% increase in violence against women and a 50% rise in families without access to adequate housing.

Gandi Guthun Galbaan Wa Dhalayikurr (‘Shelter belonging to Women and Children’), known as Samaritans Kempsey Women’s Refuge, has been responding to the greater demand for its services over the past 12 months.

“The impact caused by the affordable housing crisis has forced more women and children to sleep rough or live in unconventional accommodation, such as cars or sheds,” Samaritans Community Service Manager Jo Eddie says.

“There has been a staggering increase in the number of families who do not have the fundamental basic human right to access adequate housing.

“It’s a great feeling for the team when we support families to resettle safely into their own home.

“Placing the people we support at the centre of what we do, the women and children who come to stay at the Kempsey refuge are welcomed by qualified and supportive staff.”

Samaritans has made an important contribution to the Kempsey community for the past decade.

In 2014, Samaritans was successful with its Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) tender application to provide specialist homelessness support, including a domestic violence response for women and children.

The Kempsey refuge offers safe accommodation for up to four families at any given time, with the average stay being around three months.

Families are offered a room filled with home-like comforts and made up with vibrant, donated bedding.

Children and young people are greeted with ageappropriate toys, books or journals they can call their own.

All rooms have a dignity bag and resources to support women and children during their stay.

In 2017, Samaritans hosted a renaming ceremony for the refuge. Elders and community representatives were present when its name was changed to Gandi Guthun Galbaan Wa Dhalayikurr (‘Shelter belonging to Women and Children’) on Dunghutti land.

This was seen by many as an important step in giving back to the community and reinforcing the site as a safe place for women and children.

In 2022, the Kempsey Women’s Refuge was selected under a government-funded pilot program to deliver the Specialist Worker for Children and Young People (SWCYP).

“The program offers invaluable support. We have seen children and young people flourish when they join our wellbeing activities and especially when they re-engage with early learning centres and school,” Jo says.

“Each year, the children create the Kempsey Women’s Refuge Christmas cards that we share and respectfully extend our season’s greetings to our community partners and to local service providers.

“To date, more than 100 children and young people have received support from this service and the DCJ has extended funding until June 2026.”

Last year, a local artist also responded to the refuge’s request to create a mural.

A previously dull and uninviting hallway now represents joy, peace, and belonging.

The ongoing dedication and improvements made by Samaritans Kempsey team has led to deserved praise.

During a recent visit by an auditor from the Australian Service Excellence Standards (ASES), she described the refuge as the best she had ever seen due to its welcoming and therapeutic environment.

Long-serving case worker Lisa stands next to a Healing Hands banner, which was created for the annual Women’s Camp in 2017. The camp is attended by First Nations women from the Gumbaynggirr, Dunghutti, and Worimi communities.