Fifty years ago, a feminist collective of academics got sick of waiting for a government response to domestic violence. They changed the locks on two abandoned houses in Westmoreland Street, Glebe to set up the first refuge for women fleeing DV with their children. By changing the locks, they changed the lot of women. This women’s refuge movement soon sprouted specialist services for specific cohorts, including survivors of CSA.
Today, the Elsie conference marked the first refuge’s fiftieth anniversary. Our CEO represented Stepping Out and our board member, Jess Hill, spoke on a forum about DV today. Stepping Out is proud to be part of a movement which has made the world a safer place but consensus amongst a room full of amazing women is that constant vigilance is required.
