Rudimentary steps toward the establishment of the “Riverland Women’s Shelter” was initiated in 1979 by a small group of social work students who identified a need for a general emergency shelter, while undertaking a group sociology project.
As the students collated statistics and other pertinent information for their project, it became clear that an emergency shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence was urgently needed. The majority of women requiring shelter from domestic violence were taken to Adelaide. Most of them were reluctant to leave the area, mainly due to their concern about the adjustment for their children from a country to city lifestyle.
Over the next four years, numerous government and community groups lobbied for the establishment of a women’s shelter. These included the Riverland Community Development Board, Loxton Council, Riverland Government Association and the Y.W.C.A.
It was with the assistance of the Y.W.C.A. that in May 1981 the first submission was forwarded to the Minister for Community Welfare. The submission was subsequently acknowledged and approved with an assurance that the proposal would receive first priority when funds became available.
These elusive funds escaped the committee’s eager hands for three years and continued frustrations were being experienced by human service workers attempting to secure adequate emergency services for women and children in crisis.
A new steering committee was formed in June 1984 and members injected a great deal of energy and commitment to renew the propulsion for the establishment of the Shelter.
The delay in the provision of funds resulted in the compilation of a revised submission together with a complete budget estimate for capital, operating and salary costs.
By September 1984 the Minister announced an allocation of $10,000 towards the Shelter. The committee received numerous letters of support and encouragement from the community and government organisations and in particular financial support from both the Loxton and Berri District Councils. The South Australian Housing Trust agreed to provide suitable rental accommodation as they had for similar services in the past.
In March 1985 the first public meeting was held to elect a Management Committee. With funds provided by the government, the Management Committee employed a temporary worker from July to December 1985 to continue the practical administrative work involved in establishing a shelter such as purchasing equipment, liaising with funding bodies, attending meetings and other public relations activities.
Following the permanent appointment of an Administrator in December 1985 and two shelter workers in February 1986 the shelter became operational on a half time basis by February 1986.
By September 1986 the shelter was fully operational and could cater for six families at any one time and seven Women’s Housing Association homes. By July 1987 an allocation of 5.5 staff reflected a more adequate and comparative amount granted to other shelters in the State. In February 2000 the Riverland Women’s Shelter changed its name to the Riverland Domestic Violence Unit.
The Riverland Domestic Violence Unit accommodates up to six families in their high security outlet plus five independent homes rented from the South Australian Housing Trust. There is a children’s room and a resource room for adults. The RDVU is funded under the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program by the Federal and State governments. We receive funds for 5.5 positions.
From July 2009 the RDVU joined Centacare Catholic Family Services as the Riverland Domestic Violence Service. Most work is the same although we now have a vastly improved infrastructure including Managerial, OH&S, Quality Accreditation and training support. After Mr Rudd became Prime Minister, our funding now comes from the National Affordable Housing Agreement.
