Support for family & domestic violence

Reaching out for help and talking to someone can be difficult.

Family and domestic violence (FDV) includes any behaviour that is violent, threatening, controlling or intended to make you or your family feel scared or unsafe. Abuse can take many forms and may occur over an extended period of time, including physical, sexual, emotional, verbal and financial.

Recognising abuse is not always easy, but support is available.

Koolkuna family and domestic violence services

Koolkuna (a Noongar term meaning ‘safe place’) has been providing crisis accommodation and support services to individuals affected by FDV in Perth since 1995. In 2022, Koolkuna merged with Indigo Junction, strengthening the support available to those affected by family and domestic violence.

Our services include:

• Koolkuna Women’s Refuge & Bindi Bindi Mia Refuge
• Koolkuna Family and Domestic Violence Advocacy Service
• Koolkuna Youth Family and Domestic Violence Advocacy Service
• Koolkuna Coordinated Response Service
• Kookuna Community Education Programs

Expanding our services

Indigo Junction continues to invest in safe, accessible and trauma-informed environments for women and children escaping family and domestic violence.

Transitional Housing Refurbishment Project
In 2021, Indigo Junction secured $5.5 million through the Social Housing Economic Recovery Package (now the Social Housing Grants Program). This funded the refurbishment of 8 homes, 3 units and the Koolkuna Refuge, improving safety, accessibility and long-term sustainability. All 12 properties have now been completed and re-tenanted, significantly increasing the availability of safe, dignified housing.

New Koolkuna Healing Hub (proposed)
Plans are underway for a new refuge based on a “core and cluster” model, combining independent living units with integrated, on-site support.

This approach prioritises:

• Safety and privacy
• Child-focused, therapeutic environments
• Independent living with wraparound support

Development approval has been secured, with funding applications in progress. Construction is targeted to begin in mid-2026. Learn more about our projects here.

Our impact

On average:

• The Koolkuna Women’s Refuge supports around 50 women and their children each year
• The Koolkuna Coordinated Response Service follows up on over 3,000 reported family violence incidents annually

“I feel confidence and comfortable and safe now.”