Your Safe Space
We’re here to help you find your strengths and reach your goals.
We understand the challenges you’re facing. If you’re a young woman or gender non-binary person assigned female at birth, aged 12-17, experiencing trauma or instability at home, The Girls Refuge is here for you.
We’ve created a safe place just for you—a refuge where you can feel safe, reboot, and access the support you need. Our team is dedicated to providing a supportive environment where you can freely express yourself without judgement. We’re here to listen, to believe in you, and to help you through this difficult time.
*assigned female at birth.
Whether you're dealing with domestic violence, family conflicts, homelessness or risk of homelessness, or any other form of instability, we’re here to support you. Our compassionate staff are trained to offer emotional support, guidance, referrals and practical resources tailored to meet your needs. We can link you in with GP, counsellors, education, employment or any other support needs to help you build resilience, develop healthy coping mechanisms, increase your skills and confidence.. At The Girls Refuge, you'll find more than just a temporary place to stay—you'll find a warm safe environment with other young women your age. We firmly believe in your potential and are committed to equipping you with the tools and support you need to reach your goals and create a brighter future. Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Reach out to us at The Girls Refuge today, we are here to help you.
Whether you're dealing with domestic violence, family conflicts, homelessness or risk of homelessness, or any other form of instability, we’re here to support you. Our compassionate staff are trained to offer emotional support, guidance, referrals and practical resources tailored to meet your needs. We can link you in with GP, counsellors, education, employment or any other support needs to help you build resilience, develop healthy coping mechanisms, increase your skills and confidence.. At The Girls Refuge, you'll find more than just a temporary place to stay—you'll find a warm safe environment with other young women your age. We firmly believe in your potential and are committed to equipping you with the tools and support you need to reach your goals and create a brighter future. Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Reach out to us at The Girls Refuge today, we are here to help you.
Here’s How We Can Help You
We understand the challenges you’re facing. Our dedicated team of compassionate staff are here to support you every step of the way. We provide a safe and nurturing environment where you can reset and plan for the future. You are not alone in this journey.
We welcome all young women and gender non-binary individuals assigned female at birth. Who may be experiencing trauma, instability, homelessness or any issue that makes them feel unsafe in their home situation or accommodation.
Crisis Accommodation
When home doesn’t feel safe, we’re here to provide you with the temporary refuge and support you need. Our Crisis Accommodation service offers a safe, secure and caring environment. Know that your safety is our priority. Learn more about our Crisis Accommodation and how we can help you.
Day Program
If you are attending school we will support you to continue while staying with us.
If you are no longer attending school and want to explore options for training and employment, our case managers will work with you to identify programs and training opportunities that suit your areas of interest.
It is a requirement of The Girls Refuge that all clients attend a day program.
Outreach Support
No one should face their challenges alone. Our Outreach Support services are here to provide you with the emotional and practical support, along with referral to other specialised support services you need to meet your needs.
Our compassionate team is dedicated to helping you navigate your journey towards healing and growth and meet your goals. Find out more about our Outreach Support services and the opportunities available to connect with others who understand and support you.
Are You Seeking Support?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, scared, or uncertain, we’re here to help. We understand that reaching out for support can be difficult, but remember, you don’t have to face this alone. Our doors are always open, and our team is ready to provide the caring and nonjudgmental support you deserve. Your well-being is our top priority.
How You Can Support Us
You can make a difference in the lives of young women in need. Your support, no matter how big or small, can contribute to providing a safe and secure environment for those facing trauma, homelessness and instability.
There are various ways you can get involved, from making a donation to volunteering your time. Together, we can provide hope and build a brighter future for every young woman who comes to The Girls Refuge.
Success Stories
Lizzy
Lizzy first presented to The Girls Refuge at the age of 14 due to family breakdown. Lizzy was in a situation where the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) were unable to work with and support the family, and the family were not willing to relinquish their parental rights.
As a result, Lizzy has been moving from crisis refuge to crisis refuge and has moved four times in an eighteen-month period.
Lizzy is now 16 years old, does not have the emotional or practical skills at this stage to live independently, and will need to develop these quickly to secure transitional or long-term accommodation.
If Lizzy had been able to remain in the first crisis service she accessed, her circumstances would have greatly improved. She would not have been at risk of re traumatization through changing services, having to retell her story over and over, or continually developing new relationships with staff and clients. This also can have negative impacts on family restoration, with the consistent changing of services and support staff, working not only with Lizzy but with her family.
Lizzy is a good example of why we need more supported medium to longer term accommodation options for under 16s. This case shows that continuum of care models are critical to enable soft transition from crisis services to transitional services and then on to longer term accommodation.
Susie
When Susie arrived at TGR she had been transient since the age of 12, experiencing homelessness due to significant domestic and family violence perpetrated by her father. Susie’s mother has her own existing mental health struggles and has often verbally abused Susie as a way of coping with this. Susie has a tumultuous relationship with her separated parents and often found herself needing respite by couch surfing when things became volatile at either home. Upon arrival at TGR, Susie was completely disengaged with school, had a longstanding history of self-harm and suicide ideation, and was having consistent mental health presentations at hospital every 3 to 4 days.
During her time at TGR, Susie has been able to learn about her trauma responses and has worked hard to manage her triggers. The safe and settled environment of TGR played a huge role in Susie feeling safe and settled within herself and we saw that her presentations to hospital became less frequent (and now non-existent). Susie can use her safety plan effectively before things become too overwhelming. Susie is now enrolled, attending, and receiving A grades at school and Susie has also just been accepted into transitional accommodation.
Ruby
Ruby is a 17-year-old of Middle Eastern descent who was exited from an unsafe situation where her family were supporting an upcoming arranged marriage. The AFP removed Ruby and moved her across the state to The Girls Refuge. Ruby presented with distress and was having difficulty comprehending the situation due to a development delay. Ruby expressed suicidal thoughts and was hospitalised for 3 days in her first week at the refuge. Ruby has remained at the refuge for 5 months due to limited exit opportunities. Given Ruby’s age and vulnerabilities she is unable to live independently and the only option for TGR was to secure Ruby a place at a women’s shelter. Ruby will move into the women’s service on her 18th birthday. TGR have been able to support Ruby to register and attend school, have provided safe and supportive accommodations, assisted Ruby to build her living skills, supported her to access counselling and stabilised her mental health. Ruby has had no further admissions to hospital and has made tremendous growth in her time at TGR.
We acknowledge the Aboriginal land in which we live and practice and the cultures that here gather; our ancestors and future generations. We embrace anti-oppressive feminist practice, holding the hope of creating safety-centred positive change.