The Hon Ged Kearney MP
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care
Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health
Member for Cooper
The Hon Justine Elliot MP
Assistant Minister for Social Services
Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence
Member for Richmond
The Hon Stephen Jones MP
Assistant Treasurer
Minister for Financial Services
Member for Whitlam
Alison Byrnes MP
Member for Cunningham
Women escaping family, domestic and sexual violence in the Illawarra will now have a crucial new support with the opening of as the Albanese Labor Government opens the landmark healing and recovery centre.
Located in Shellharbour, the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre was made possible by a $25 million investment by the Labor Government. The Centre was co designed by women with lived experience and will provide specialised support to victim-survivors of family, domestic or sexual violence.
Violence against women and children is a problem of epidemic proportions in Australia. The Albanese Labor Government’s National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2023 recognises how vital recovery and healing are in breaking the cycle of violence.
The Centre uses a wrap-around approach to support women live independent and secure lives after family, domestic or sexual violence. It provides specialised support to women as long as needed, including mental health, financial, legal and casework support.
This long-term approach recognises that healing and recovery requires support beyond any initial crisis response. The Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre will give victim-survivors in the Illawarra area a stable foundation to rebuild their lives, including to heal from mental, emotional and physical wounds, and reduce the risk of re-traumatisation.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney MP:
“The epidemic of violence against women is a public health emergency.
“Long after physical wounds heal the impact of family, domestic or sexual violence on a woman’s emotional and mental health often remains. Anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder are common, and can last for many many years.
“This crucial service continues to support women after the initial crisis. The support continues to wrap around women and gives them the safety and the support to start again.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Justine Elliot MP:
“Trauma recovery and safe healing are vital for supporting victim-survivors to rebuild their lives after abuse.
“The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre has been at the forefront of work in this space, and this Australian-first, community-led centre will provide critical long-term support to women and children in the region.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Financial Services and Member for Whitlam Stephen Jones MP:
“It’s terrible that women in our community require support services in the first instance, but I’m so proud to see this Womens Trauma Recovery Centre led by the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre up-and-running.
“I’m proud to have helped secure $25 million in Commonwealth funding over a period of 5 years for the establishment of this Centre, which is the first of its kind in Australia.
“Since coming to government, our total investment to support women’s safety and the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children is over $3.4 billion.”
Quotes attributable Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes MP:
“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to ending violence against women and children within one generation.
“Women’s safety is an absolute priority, and I’m proud to see in our backyard, an Australia first centre providing trauma-informed support to help women recover from the physical, emotional, psychological and financial impacts of violence.
