It was wonderful to welcome the Hon Mark McGowan MLA, Premier of Western Australia and the Hon Simone McGurk MLA, Minister for Child Protection; Women’s Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services to Ruah for the presentation of a $4 million Lotterywest grant to support the construction of a Women and Children’s Wellness and Recovery Centre.
The Premier said the new centre will be an important space to support and empower women and children escaping the trauma of family and domestic violence.
“The State Government, through Lotterywest, is proud to work with Ruah and continue to support people experiencing homelessness, domestic violence and mental health issues.
“We are committed to ensuring women and children in WA have access to every opportunity to live a safe and secure life,” he said.
Ruah CEO Debra Zanella explains this will represent a step change in facilities and service delivery for women and their children escaping family violence or experiencing homelessness, and/or needing assistance with health matters, like mental health or legal help.
“For women who access the Centre, it will stop the violence,” Debra said. “For their children and young people, it will stop the cycle of violence that is disproportionately likely to be part of their future because of their past.”
We also hope others will join us on the journey, and the Centre will be a place of ongoing learning, and of research and innovation.”