The East Perth Women’s Shelter is about to be closed, Clairsy & Lisa spoke to the Executive Manager at Ruah Community Services Elsie Blay about the implications of it’s closing.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Elsie Blair is General manager of Services at Ruer Community Services,
which operates a women's safe Nights space across the road
from us here in East Perth. It's been it's in
the rod Evans Community Center, but that space is closing
this week and Elsie's joining us now.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Good morning morning, Elsie.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Welcome, good morning, Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Elsie. This space was set up in twenty twenty one.
Can you just say, you know, for those who don't
realize what specifically the place was set up for to begin.
Speaker 4 (00:33):
With, absolutely, this is Perth Only no barrier crisis service
for women. We support one hundred and fifty women each
month who have nowhere else to go, So women who
are escaping sexual assault, violence on the streets, domestic violence
and sleeping russ Elsie.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
We have a window onto this and literally because it's
right across from our building here at ninety six FM,
and we do see that. We often feel so much
for these women because it's a chance for them to
have someone to sleep at night. But I'm confused. There
was funding offered by the government and I noticed that
John Kerry, the Housing Homelessness Minister, is there off at
three point one million to continue the funding. Why is
(01:12):
it shutting down? What's going on?
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Yeah, well that's right.
Speaker 4 (01:15):
I mean tonight we'll be the last night of service.
And as you say, this is for women, this is
the worst day of their life. They're coming in scared, exhausted,
and they just need safety. We do have a funding
committed and we've been working with all levels of governments
that over twelve months.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
It is just a terrible state.
Speaker 4 (01:32):
Tonight that will be the last night of service for
these women who will have nowhere.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
Else to go.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
We know that refugees are full ambulance to the ramping.
We've got bed blocks. These women don't need treatment, they
just need a safe place because home's not safe right now?
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Is what are you hearing from these women about the
fact that it's not going to be there.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Oh, they're absolutely devastated. They're scared, you know, the last
few weeks being their most nights. It's just terrible.
Speaker 4 (01:58):
People are wondering if they're you know, some of the
women are wondering whether they'll survive until Christmas.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Like, it is just terrible. These women are sick, they're scared.
Speaker 4 (02:06):
There's a lot of elderly women, women with disabilities, we've
got women who are pregnant. It's just absolutely crisis point.
We've had a ninety percent increase for the service since
this time last year. Yeah, we mind is just skyrocketing.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
We keep hearing statistics about, you know, the people that
are sleeping rough and how many of them are women
of a certain age right now, So it feels like
this couldn't be at a worse time. Are there other
alternatives around, you know, the CBD area where people can
go or was this it?
Speaker 3 (02:37):
This is it?
Speaker 4 (02:38):
There are no alternatives for women who was no barrier service,
which means that you can walk in any minute of
the night as you are no referral need, as you
can walk in. The only other option is the police
or the ambulance. But we know these women don't need
to be in a hospital bed. The only other option
is life on the streets or in their car.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Yeah, we know police resources of you know, they're understrained
as well. We understand and if people.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Want to go to these women want to go somewhere
where there's no judgment.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
You know they're going to be able to get in
and be with someone who understands.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Yeah, they do want to be safe. They want to
be safe.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
I mean, is that so much to ask?
Speaker 3 (03:14):
No, I don't think so, I think, and these are
women like you and me. This is the thing. It's
just outrageous.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Yeah, I mean, this is also Elsie a very frustrating
situation too, because the facility is there, the funding has
been thrown up, but the city purpose saying it's too late.
Their funding came too late.
Speaker 4 (03:28):
All right, Well, I mean we're hearing that the funding
came too late, and we're also hearing that the community.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Don't want this service. I mean, we've seen that eighty percent.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
Of people in the city are supportive for this service
from an independent survey.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
So I find it.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
Really hard to believe we have the phone absolutely hot
day and night, with everyone supportive and outrage of this.
So my view is that the community do want this
service and do want to look after vulnerable women. I think,
you know, in the middle of sixteen days, it is
just ironic to be shutting a service like this which
is so desperately needed and supported. We'd be happy to
work with a community service to run during the night.
(04:04):
We can run during the night, they can run during
the day. We are open to anything.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Is there anything last minute that you're hoping might be
able to be done, they'lsie.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
I mean, I would just urge, you know, the community
of the city that we are hearing all this support
for the service. I would really just make sure we're
hearing what the community want and what the voters are saying.
I mean, I really disagree that the city of Perth
don't want this service. I'm hearing loud and clear that
the community really want this service, and there's an outpour
of support and social media, you know, everywhere, everybody is saying.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
Yes, we need to look after women in crisis. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
And you know what, I'll be honest, if it wasn't
for the fact that I get to work here across
the road from ULC at quarter plus four in the morning,
so I know that you're there and what's happening, I
probably wouldn't be aware of the place if it wasn't
for that. So I think there's a lot of people
that don't even realize what it is that's happening, why
it's there, and the good work that it's doing. So
(05:02):
we need to have a discussion about if not this place,
then something somewhere really needs to be a permanent setup.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
Yeah, and the risk is that this problem will be
far worse for the community if if we're not there
as you say, we're there, we're tucked away. We've got
heat stroke, pregnant women, we've got you know, people who
are really unwell who will otherwise be in the city streets.
We really make sure these people are safe and looked
after and.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Somewhere that really is out of the way. You know,
the problem is going to be much worse when we're
not there next week.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
They haven't done something anything wrong, as you said, they
just want to be safe.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
A lot of these women are working and they come
in from their day's.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Work and there's just no affordable rental.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
It's unprecedented times with the rental market. It's just incredible
that we're shutting.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
And especially those words you said, Elsie, that people wondering
if they'll survived or Christmas. We're losing far too many
women in our community already. Yeah, absolutely we are.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
And the sexual assault, you know, on the weekend, people
coming in in crisis, the numbers are just soaring.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
Yeah. Well, Elsie, we thank you for the work that
you do and let's hope that this is not the
end of a safe space in this.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
Area and so much and I think, yeah, appreciate everyone support, listening.
We need everything we can to come together and show
these women that we care about them.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Yeah, thanks Elsie for your time.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
Thank you Bye,
Elsie Blair is General manager of Services at Ruer Community Services,
which operates a women's safe Nights space across the road
from us here in East Perth. It's been it's in
the rod Evans Community Center, but that space is closing
this week and Elsie's joining us now.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Good morning morning, Elsie.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Welcome, good morning, Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Elsie. This space was set up in twenty twenty one.
Can you just say, you know, for those who don't
realize what specifically the place was set up for to begin.
Speaker 4 (00:33):
With, absolutely, this is Perth Only no barrier crisis service
for women. We support one hundred and fifty women each
month who have nowhere else to go, So women who
are escaping sexual assault, violence on the streets, domestic violence
and sleeping russ Elsie.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
We have a window onto this and literally because it's
right across from our building here at ninety six FM,
and we do see that. We often feel so much
for these women because it's a chance for them to
have someone to sleep at night. But I'm confused. There
was funding offered by the government and I noticed that
John Kerry, the Housing Homelessness Minister, is there off at
three point one million to continue the funding. Why is
(01:12):
it shutting down? What's going on?
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Yeah, well that's right.
Speaker 4 (01:15):
I mean tonight we'll be the last night of service.
And as you say, this is for women, this is
the worst day of their life. They're coming in scared, exhausted,
and they just need safety. We do have a funding
committed and we've been working with all levels of governments
that over twelve months.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
It is just a terrible state.
Speaker 4 (01:32):
Tonight that will be the last night of service for
these women who will have nowhere.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
Else to go.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
We know that refugees are full ambulance to the ramping.
We've got bed blocks. These women don't need treatment, they
just need a safe place because home's not safe right now?
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Is what are you hearing from these women about the
fact that it's not going to be there.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Oh, they're absolutely devastated. They're scared, you know, the last
few weeks being their most nights. It's just terrible.
Speaker 4 (01:58):
People are wondering if they're you know, some of the
women are wondering whether they'll survive until Christmas.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Like, it is just terrible. These women are sick, they're scared.
Speaker 4 (02:06):
There's a lot of elderly women, women with disabilities, we've
got women who are pregnant. It's just absolutely crisis point.
We've had a ninety percent increase for the service since
this time last year. Yeah, we mind is just skyrocketing.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
We keep hearing statistics about, you know, the people that
are sleeping rough and how many of them are women
of a certain age right now, So it feels like
this couldn't be at a worse time. Are there other
alternatives around, you know, the CBD area where people can
go or was this it?
Speaker 3 (02:37):
This is it?
Speaker 4 (02:38):
There are no alternatives for women who was no barrier service,
which means that you can walk in any minute of
the night as you are no referral need, as you
can walk in. The only other option is the police
or the ambulance. But we know these women don't need
to be in a hospital bed. The only other option
is life on the streets or in their car.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Yeah, we know police resources of you know, they're understrained
as well. We understand and if people.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Want to go to these women want to go somewhere
where there's no judgment.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
You know they're going to be able to get in
and be with someone who understands.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Yeah, they do want to be safe. They want to
be safe.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
I mean, is that so much to ask?
Speaker 3 (03:14):
No, I don't think so, I think, and these are
women like you and me. This is the thing. It's
just outrageous.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Yeah, I mean, this is also Elsie a very frustrating
situation too, because the facility is there, the funding has
been thrown up, but the city purpose saying it's too late.
Their funding came too late.
Speaker 4 (03:28):
All right, Well, I mean we're hearing that the funding
came too late, and we're also hearing that the community.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Don't want this service. I mean, we've seen that eighty percent.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
Of people in the city are supportive for this service
from an independent survey.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
So I find it.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
Really hard to believe we have the phone absolutely hot
day and night, with everyone supportive and outrage of this.
So my view is that the community do want this
service and do want to look after vulnerable women. I think,
you know, in the middle of sixteen days, it is
just ironic to be shutting a service like this which
is so desperately needed and supported. We'd be happy to
work with a community service to run during the night.
(04:04):
We can run during the night, they can run during
the day. We are open to anything.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Is there anything last minute that you're hoping might be
able to be done, they'lsie.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
I mean, I would just urge, you know, the community
of the city that we are hearing all this support
for the service. I would really just make sure we're
hearing what the community want and what the voters are saying.
I mean, I really disagree that the city of Perth
don't want this service. I'm hearing loud and clear that
the community really want this service, and there's an outpour
of support and social media, you know, everywhere, everybody is saying.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
Yes, we need to look after women in crisis. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
And you know what, I'll be honest, if it wasn't
for the fact that I get to work here across
the road from ULC at quarter plus four in the morning,
so I know that you're there and what's happening, I
probably wouldn't be aware of the place if it wasn't
for that. So I think there's a lot of people
that don't even realize what it is that's happening, why
it's there, and the good work that it's doing. So
(05:02):
we need to have a discussion about if not this place,
then something somewhere really needs to be a permanent setup.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
Yeah, and the risk is that this problem will be
far worse for the community if if we're not there
as you say, we're there, we're tucked away. We've got
heat stroke, pregnant women, we've got you know, people who
are really unwell who will otherwise be in the city streets.
We really make sure these people are safe and looked
after and.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Somewhere that really is out of the way. You know,
the problem is going to be much worse when we're
not there next week.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
They haven't done something anything wrong, as you said, they
just want to be safe.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
A lot of these women are working and they come
in from their day's.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Work and there's just no affordable rental.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
It's unprecedented times with the rental market. It's just incredible
that we're shutting.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
And especially those words you said, Elsie, that people wondering
if they'll survived or Christmas. We're losing far too many
women in our community already. Yeah, absolutely we are.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
And the sexual assault, you know, on the weekend, people
coming in in crisis, the numbers are just soaring.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
Yeah. Well, Elsie, we thank you for the work that
you do and let's hope that this is not the
end of a safe space in this.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
Area and so much and I think, yeah, appreciate everyone support, listening.
We need everything we can to come together and show
these women that we care about them.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Yeah, thanks Elsie for your time.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
Thank you Bye,
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