Detour House

A Safe Place in Times of Crisis

Where you can find the support you need
When you’re facing a difficult and unstable home situation, or at risk of homelessness, finding a safe place is crucial. The Girls Refuge offers short term Crisis Accommodation, a secure and supportive environment where you can find respite, stability, and the support services you need. Our dedicated team is here to provide you with a safe place to stay, essential resources, and the support you need to navigate this challenging period.

Who is it for?

Safe and supportive crisis accommodation for young women and gender non-binary individuals assigned female at birth, aged 12-17 who are experiencing trauma or instability in their home situation.

What's the process?

Initial Contact

Reach out to us through our helpline, email, or online form to express your interest in our Crisis Accommodation services. Our friendly team will respond promptly and confidentially, ensuring your privacy and providing a supportive starting point.

Assessment and Intake

Our compassionate team will conduct an initial assessment to understand your situation and ensure that our Crisis Accommodation is the right fit for your needs. We’ll prioritise your safety and well-being throughout the process.

Safe and Supportive Environment

Once accepted into our Crisis Accommodation program, you’ll have access to a safe and welcoming living space. Our facility is designed to provide comfort, privacy, and a sense of security during your stay.

Case Management

A dedicated case manager will be assigned to you, working closely with you to develop an individualised support plan. They will assist you in setting goals, accessing resources, and navigating the challenges you may be facing.

Emotional Support

Our team of professionals is available to provide emotional support and access to counselling services. We understand that this can be a challenging time, and we’re here to listen and offer guidance.

Life Skills and Education

As part of our program, you’ll have the opportunity to develop essential life skills and continue your education. We offer workshops, educational support, living skills development and guidance to help you build a strong foundation for your future.

Transition Planning

We believe in empowering you to create a path towards long-term stability. Our team will work with you to develop a personalised transition plan, connecting you with community resources, educational opportunities, and ongoing support to ensure a successful transition beyond our Crisis Accommodation program.
Remember, at The Girls Refuge, you’re not alone. Our Crisis Accommodation, Day Program, and Outreach Support services are here to provide the support, care, and resources you need to overcome challenges, build a brighter future, and realise your full potential.

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.

Keen To Know More?

Our friendly team today are ready to answer any questions you may have and help you get the support you need.
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.
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