New home builds hope for victims

Construction of a multi-million-dollar home for a local domestic and family violence support organisation, The Centre for Women & Co, is well underway.

The not-for-profit’s new location at Springwood will provide greater levels of care to local women.

Around 50 staff at the Centre for Women & Co provided more than 37,800 hours of service in the last year, including 12,000 hours towards crisis responses and 4000 hours of counselling for domestic violence survivors, according to the centre’s latest impact statement.

Chief Executive Officer Stacey Ross said the three-storey building on Cinderella Drive would help the centre provide greater court support, education, advocacy and health services to local women.

“For 30 years, we have dedicated our lives to educating, supporting and empowering women and their families across Logan and Redlands,” Ms Ross said.

“The important work we do to ensure the health and safety of women and children experiencing violence, especially in times of crisis, is vital.”

She said the centre had observed a “significant demand” for its services.

“This new building is another step towards creating change,” she said.

“This will allow us to reach more vulnerable women in need of support and those fleeing violent situations.”

The centre will begin operating from the new building in mid-June.

Its purchase was partly funded by a $3 million state government grant.

Waterford MP and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman said woman faced “significant barriers to accessing support” when they leave a violent situation.

“The Centre for Women & Co.’s new location, will make it easier for women and girls to get the assistance and wrap around support to rebuild their lives and plan for the future,” she said.

Springwood MP Mick de Brenni said locals had asked him for more services for women and girls.

“I want to thank the young people in our community who’ve championed further action to support women and girls in Springwood,” he said.

“Funding the Centre for Women & Co to make Springwood home, is another step to ensure our community is safe for all – especially for women and girls.”

The Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D’Ath, said the state government had invested more than $1.75 billion in domestic and family violence since 2015.

“And we have changed laws including making coercive control a stand-alone criminal offence, all with the goal of eliminating domestic and family violence,” Ms D’Ath said.

“But we can’t achieve that without the support of organisations like The Centre for Women and Co.”

The Centre for Women and Co currently operates out of Woodridge, Beenleigh, Logan Central, and Redlands.

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