A Minns Labor Government will support the establishment of an Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre, to provide much needed specialist services for women impacted by domestic and family violence.
 
Labor will invest $2 million to secure a site for the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre in the old Warilla Library, on Lake Entrance Road.
 
The Centre will provide specialised, dedicated and individualised wrap around support to women recovering and healing from the trauma of domestic and family violence and abuse. 

The project secured a commitment from the Federal Government in 2022, however the NSW Liberal Government has failed to fund a site for the Centre to commence operating.
 
The Warilla Centre will serve as an interim site to deliver this much needed service, until a fit-for-purpose Centre of Excellence can be designed with input from women with lived experience.
 
Ryan Park Shadow Minister for Health said:

“This is a great result for the Illawarra community. I am pleased Labor will support the establishment of this site in Warilla for the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre, the first of its kind in Australia.”

“Domestic and family violence is a public health emergency. This Centre will support victim survivors across the Region.”

“I am pleased to have worked alongside Anna Watson and Sally Stevenson, Executive Director of the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre, to advocate for victims of domestic and family violence. Anna Watson and Sally Stevenson have formed an amazing team, fighting hard for all Illawarra women.”
 
Anna Watson, Member for Shellharbour said:
 
“I am extremely passionate about helping victims of domestic and family violence and I have no doubt that this Centre will save lives. It’s not only women that will benefit from this Centre. Trauma from domestic and family violence impacts every member of a survivor’s family, especially their children, as well as the broader community. This Centre will help to break the pattern of abuse and minimise intergenerational issues related to domestic and family violence.”


“This Centre is the culmination of years of hard work and relentless advocacy by countless brave victims and hard-working advocates, especially Sally Stevenson from the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre. The Centre will assist to bring down the wall of shame that many victims experience.”


Katelin McInerney, Labor Candidate for Kiama said:
 
“This investment will mean the Illawarra Trauma Recovery Centre can start providing the specialised and individualised wrap around support to women recovering and healing from the trauma of domestic and family violence and abuse.”