Wirringa Baiya: Free Services to Victims of Violence
Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre is a free state-wide legal service for Aboriginal women, children and youth who are or have been, victims of violence. For over a decade Wirringa Baiya has been based at the old Marrickville Hospital but plans to renovate this site has resulted in the Centre being forced to give up this tenancy in mid 2012 and relocate.
Wirringa Baiya conducted an extensive search of suitable low-rent properties in the inner Sydney Metropolitan region and contacted countless organizations, corporations and local councils in search of affordable premises within this region. This search was unsuccessful until the Addison Road Centre offered a possible solution to the tenancy issues of Wirringa Baiya.
In July 2012 Wirringa Baiya packed up and relocated to the groundfloor office space of an ARC building and Wirringa Baiya is hoping in the nearfuture to rent another space on the site.
“Wirringa Baiya is hoping that our tenancy problems are over soon and we can continue to provide ourservices to Aboriginal women and children who are victims of violence,” commented Christine Robinson, Coordinator of the Centre. “The disruption of moving and difficulties in securing an appropriate premise means that our service provision has dropped off completely. This means women who have experienced trauma and abuse are going without.”
The shortage of affordable tenancy options in the inner Sydney Metro Region is a challenge for all local residents and non-profit organisations alike. Ultimately, this is an issue for state and local Governments – not the services seeking to work with local communities and groups. Wirringa Baiya is of the view that we can work together as a community, rather that against each other, to solve these problems.
Contact Details
Phone: 02 9569 3847
Email: Christine_Robinson@clc.net.au
