FROM June, more furry members of the family will be able to flee domestic violence situations with their humans.
Domestic Violence NSW Service Management area manager Amanda Greaney has confirmed a crisis accommodation refuge for women and children in the western Sydney area is having four kennels and a cat space installed.
‘‘We will then work towards making one other refuge pet friendly,’’ Ms Greaney said.
‘‘Women are approximately 60 per cent more likely to delay leaving a domestic and family violence (DFV) relationship if animals are involved,’’ Ms Greaney said.
‘‘Pets are often punched or kicked, or even killed, with the women sometimes being told that they will be next.
‘‘If the woman is particularly close to the animal, or the animal is considered to be hers, then the threat to hurt the animals is often made as a way of keeping the woman in line.
‘‘If women can take the family pet with them, the perpetrator is less able to use the animal as a form of control and psychological abuse.’’
Ms Greaney said four DFV refuges in The Hills and Blacktown local government areas are operating with funding from the NSW Department of Family and Community Services.
Since August 2014 three have been operating as ROAR. Short for Refuges Outreach Action Response, ROAR supports clients in transitional properties and in the western Sydney community.
ROAR has nine staff.
‘‘ROAR can house 12 women with their children, who can be up to 18 years of age,’’ Ms Greaney said.
‘‘ROAR accepts women with a viable pregnancy past three months.
‘‘No waiting lists exist. If there are no vacancies within the refuges, individuals will be placed in temporary accommodation and ROAR staff will work with them intensively to secure longer-term options.’’
Ms Greaney said ROAR can financially support women to access things that may not normally be available to them, for example driving lessons to increase independence.
ROAR also provides services for men with children and families who are homeless.
SAFE BEDS FOR PETS
With the RSPCA Safe Beds for Pets Program, families can leave domestic violence situations and not fear for their pets.
The statewide program offers temporary housing for pets of people seeking refuge from domestic violence at all 10 RSPCA shelters, including Yagoona and Katoomba. All animals are accepted.
‘‘We have accommodated birds, horses, sheep, ferrets, rabbits and fish,’’ RSPCA’s community development manager Matt French said.
READ MORE: Click here to read more about the Safe Beds for Pets Program.
