Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre - Women · Building · Belonging
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Women's Shelter

Women’s Shelter

Safety, support and pathways to healing

The Women’s Shelter at Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre provides crisis accommodation and intensive support for women and children escaping family and domestic violence.

Established in 1995, the Shelter was the first funded service of Marninwarntikura and remains at the heart of the organisation. It continues a long legacy of Fitzroy Valley women leading community responses to violence, grounded in culture, strength and self-determination.

Crisis Safety and Immediate Support

The Shelter provides:

  • Safe and supported crisis accommodation

  • Immediate safety, stabilisation and care

  • Risk assessment and safety planning

  • Intensive short-term case management

  • Supported pathways into longer-term housing and support services

Women can access the Shelter at different points in their journey, whether for immediate safety, temporary respite or as part of a longer-term plan to leave violence.

One Integrated Service Response

The Shelter operates as part of MWRC’s Strengthening Families Team, ensuring women and children are supported through a coordinated, wraparound service model.

While at the Shelter, women can access:

  • Legal support through the Family Violence Prevention Legal Service

  • Therapeutic support including counselling, group programs and healing activities

  • Marnin Studio, offering a safe, creative space for connection and recovery

  • Material aid and practical support through the Women’s Resource Centre

  • Specialist support from the Marulu team on FASD and early life trauma

This integrated approach ensures that women are supported not only in crisis, but across their pathway to safety, healing and long-term stability.

Supporting Children and Families

Supporting children is a key focus of the Shelter.

The team works closely with:

  • Baya Gawiy (Early Childhood Learning Unit)

  • Child and Parent Centre (CPC)

This creates strong early intervention pathways that support children’s development, strengthen family relationships and help interrupt intergenerational cycles of violence and trauma.

A Healing-Informed Model of Care

Following a comprehensive review in 2017, the Shelter adopted a strengths-based, trauma and healing-informed model shaped by the voices of Fitzroy Valley women and community partners.

Our approach:

  • Recognises the impacts of trauma and colonisation

  • Centres dignity, respect and cultural safety

  • Builds on the strengths of women and families

  • Supports self-determination and informed choice

We understand the complexity of leaving violence and work alongside women at their own pace, without judgement.

Looking Forward

MWRC is committed to strengthening the Shelter environment to better support healing and recovery. This includes ongoing improvements to create safer, calmer and more culturally appropriate spaces.

We are also exploring the development of a purpose-built Shelter in partnership with the Department of Communities and pro bono partners, to ensure women and children have access to facilities that reflect the standard of care they deserve.

Working Toward Whole-of-Community Solutions

Community has identified the need for stronger responses to support men’s healing and address the drivers of violence.

MWRC continues to work with partners, including the Men’s Shed and other services, to explore solutions and advocate for a whole-of-valley approach to prevention and perpetrator responses.

Walking alongside women

The Shelter is more than a place of crisis. It is a place where women and children can find safety, reconnect, and begin or continue their journey toward healing and stronger futures.