28 February 2022

Donor support meaningful for safe refuge

This year a new domestic and family violence refuge, consisting of 8 self-contained units is under construction thanks to Commonwealth funding and money raised during Lenten Appeal.

Your donations via the Lenten Appeal will provide enhanced facilities and resources for this much needed service.

In February, church leaders and senior Lutheran Services staff met to bless the site as construction kicked off.

The refuge will contain disability-accessible units of varying sizes, from one to three bedrooms.

Chris Seiboth, Executive Lead for Community Services, said “Importantly, the refuge will support children’s well-being and development with a quality community-oriented built environment.”

“Community focused is a big theme for our design. Women can gather in the shared activities room to take cooking, budgeting or parenting sessions, whilst they will be able to see the children’s playground.

“There will be enclosed front yards, a playground, a community vegetable garden, a sensory garden and bikes and play equipment for kids to be kids.

“Violence in the home has an enormous impact on children. When there is violence against woman who is also a mother – that is an attack on the parent and child relationship.

“The design of the refuge and services we will provide will allow the space and safety to start re-building relationships. A safe, peaceful, community setting is the foundation of that.”

Construction will be completed later this year with $3.8million from the Commonwealth Government’s Safe Places Emergency Accommodation scheme.

Lutheran Services also supports Mary & Martha’s Refuge which was established by the Nazareth Lutheran Church in the 1980s to serve people during times of crisis.