Australia’s first dedicated Trauma Recovery Centre for women affected by domestic and family violence has officially opened its doors in Shellharbour, Illawarra. The Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre, a pioneering initiative by the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre, offers specialised long-term support to women recovering from the trauma of violence and abuse.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park and Shellharbour MP Anna Watson were joined by staff and stakeholders to mark this significant milestone. The Centre will provide women and families with multidisciplinary, tailored care, addressing the long-term impact of trauma and offering support beyond immediate crisis intervention. 

The project is the result of collaborative efforts involving women with lived experience, experts, and service providers. The Centre’s approach seeks to improve health and psychosocial outcomes by helping women break free from cycles of violence and intergenerational trauma.

The NSW Government contributed $2 million in the 2023-24 Budget for the Centre’s establishment, with additional funding of over $2.7 million as part of a larger commitment to Women’s Health Centres across the state.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park praised the Centre’s opening as a vital step for domestic violence survivors in the region, while MP Anna Watson highlighted the life-changing impact it will have on women in need.

For more information about the Centre and its services, visit the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre website. If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services on 000, or for support with domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732.