A new Domestic Violence Prevention and Recovery Hub was launched in Noarlunga on Friday 1 December.

The new Southern Hub will provide support to women experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence. 

The state government has provided $1 million in funding towards two hubs, one in the north and this one in the south. 

Further funding came through the National Partnership on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses, with federally funded workers to help staff the hub.

Named The Yellow Gate, the Southern Hub will be run by Community Justice Services SA as the lead coordinating agency and is located within the Can:Do Centre at Colonnades Shopping Centre, Noarlunga.

Yellow represents sunflowers, positivity and hope and the gate represents change and transition to a new stage of life.

The site was chosen in consultation with key local stakeholders for being accessible and safe for women, while also enabling co-location with important services based within the centre.

The Women’s and Children’s Health Network’s Yarrow Place will also deliver counselling and medical services from the hub.

The hub will initially host two dedicated staff members; one has been recruited, with recruitment for the second underway.

Plans are also being finalised for a third staff member from Nunga Mi:Minar (Northern Regional Domestic Violence and Aboriginal Family Violence Service) to deliver First Nations family violence strategies.

Katrine Hildyard is the state Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence.

“The earlier that women experiencing violence can access support, the more likely they are to be safe,” she says.

“The Yellow Gate is a shining example of state and federal governments working together towards the prevention and eradication of domestic, family and sexual violence.

“As well as being a crucial point of contact for women experiencing violence, the hub will build awareness about violence and empower community prevention efforts.  

“Preventing domestic violence is everybody’s business and this hub will help deliver this message.”

Catherine McMorrine, CEO of Community Justice Services SA acknowledged the leadership of the Southern Domestic Violence Action group for their community-led lobbying for a safe place for women in the south.  

“Given recent incidents of violence against women in SA it is more important than ever to be able to provide a safe place for women in the south to access information, services and support when needed.“