A safe space for Aboriginal women and children at Carlton Baths

Carlton Baths will house a new support service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children as part of government efforts to address soaring rates of family violence.

As part of the Victorian Government’s Free from Violence Local Government Program, the City of Melbourne has established a partnership with Elizabeth Morgan House Aboriginal Women’s Service to pilot a family violence support service in Carlton.

The service will be co-located with Family Services at Carlton Baths, to provide Aboriginal women and their children with access to culturally appropriate family violence services and support, and a dedicated safe space to practice healing and culture and connect with community. 

Elizabeth Morgan House CEO Kalina Morgan-Whyman said the pilot program was an “opportunity to broaden our impact with our women, which for us, is always a privilege.”

“Supporting frontline specialist service gaps to provide holistic responses which support the many facets of a woman’s identity, while also recognising the external influences and elements which impact her, is crucial,” Ms Morgan-Whyman said. 

The program is the first and only service run by an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation within the City of Melbourne.

Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece said the council was proud to deliver the “critical pilot program” in partnership with the Victorian Government and Elizabeth Morgan House. 

“Australia is experiencing a family violence epidemic – and Aboriginal women are 33 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family violence,” Cr Reece said. 

“All levels of government must work together to deliver more culturally appropriate services. We’re willing to offer spaces in our trusted council facilities, to provide much-needed support for our community, closer to home.”

Data from family violence prevention organisation Our Watch found Indigenous woman experienced violence at 3.1 times the rate of non-Indigenous women during the past 12 months.

Three in five Indigenous women have also reported physical or sexual violence from a male partner, which Our Watch listed as the leading reason for the disproportionately high rate of Indigenous children being removed from families.

EMH head of communications Roberta Styles-Wood said the population of Indigenous women in Melbourne’s northwest had risen 40 per cent since 2021.

“At the same time, reports of family violence from that community have risen by more than 10 per cent,” Ms Styles-Wood said.

“It’s important Indigenous women know this holistic service is available.”

Select clients of the new service and their children will also be given free access to health services at the Baths.

Support workers from EMH will be at Carlton Baths every Wednesday from 10am till 3pm providing the free, walk-in service. •