Western Australia’s first purpose-built centre of women and children escaping domestic violence has been approved by the City of Perth.
Designed by Architectus, the Ruah Centre for Women and Children will be a $20 million seven-storey building to be located on Shelton Street in Northbridge, replacing Ruah’s existing building.
The centre will provide a safe and welcoming place with short-term accommodation for more than 300 women and children annually.
The centre will also house a comprehensive range of services, including physical and mental health support, counselling, support for addressing alcohol and drug issues, legal services and employment and life skills education.
“Western Australia has one of the worst rates of family violence related assaults in the country, and there is a critical shortage of safe, secure accommodation for women and children escaping violence,” said Ruah CEO Debra Zanella.
“There is currently nowhere in Perth that combines accommodation with the kind of comprehensive support we will be providing. We believe all women and children experiencing trauma from abuse deserve a place where they can be safe, and where their total needs can be met.”
The design of the building takes a trauma-informed approach that acknowledges how the physical environment can significantly impacts a person’s moods, sense of identity and wellbeing. It integrates the principles of trauma-informed care to create spaces that will promote a sense of calmn, safety, wellbeing and healing, as well as a sense of belonging and support, particularly for Aboriginal women and those from diverse backgrounds.
The centre will also support collaborative research into the social issues related to domestic violence and contribute a body of knowledge to the community services sector.
“This new centre will be a place where women and children can create a new and much brighter future,” Zanella said. “Importantly, it will also be a place where we build sector capacity through collaborations and research, and where we also work to shift community attitudes that allow family violence to continue.”
Source: Architecture - architectureau
