Jane Bennett. Ruah Centre for Women and Children.
Sit Down with SIR.
Jane Bennett . Chair of Ruah’s Giving Circle.
Last year we were introduced to Ruah Community Services through a friend of SIR, Jane Bennett. As the Chair of Ruah’s Giving Circle — a group dedicated to supporting the funding of Ruah’s Centre for Women and Children Project—Jane has been instrumental in advocating for women seeking refuge from domestic violence. A key initiative of this project, the Angela Wright Bennett Centre, provides a space for recovery and healing.
One of the most impactful concepts within the Centre is the shoppable experience, designed by women with lived experience of domestic violence. Recognizing the dignity that comes with choice, they envisioned a space where women could select new clothing rather than sorting through pre-owned donations. Jane helped bring this vision to life by connecting Ruah with her network, including SIR.
We are proud to support this initiative by donating pieces to help women regain confidence as they rebuild their lives. Together, with Jane and Ruah, we stand for resilience, empowerment, and meaningful change.
Marking the beginning of our relationship with Ruah, we spoke to Jane for YES SIR.
Jane Bennett. Ruah Centre for Women and Children.
What inspired the creation of the Ruah Centre for Women and Children?
When we embarked on the Ruah Centre for Women and Children project in 2019, our vision was to create Australia’s first dedicated, state-of-the-art healing and recovery centre for women and children impacted by family and domestic violence (FDV). The centre opened in October 2024 and is called the Angela Wright Bennett Centre (AWBC) It is home to Ruah’s Karlup Service – the first service of its kind in Australia
What makes the Karlup Service unique?
The Karlup Service is a trauma-informed, culturally inclusive, and confidential service designed to provide comprehensive support for women and their children impacted by FDV. This service model, initially delivered within the Angela Wright Bennett Centre, is not restricted to this site and can be expanded and delivered at other locations in the future. Karlup, a Noongar Aboriginal word meaning "a place where you belong and feel safe," embodies the essence of the Karlup Service. Focused on recovery and healing, Karlup Service ensures comprehensive care tailored to the unique needs of everyone. Women and their children can access a range of services in one place, eliminating the need to continuously retell their story. The Karlup Service welcomes all women and children under 18, offering a safe place for their journey to recovery.
What facilities and services does the Angela Wright Bennett Centre offer?
The Karlup Service has a range of support available to women and their children recovering from FDV:
- Dedicated Koorta Guide
- Peer support from trained staff with lived experience of FDV
- Counselling for women and their children
- Legal support
- Bulk billing general practice
- Dental service
- Alcohol and other drug support
- Employment Education and Training Support
- Healing and recovery programs
- Financial counselling
- 13 self contained units of Safe accommodation
- Housing support
How does the AWBC involve the community in its mission?
Ruah knows that every person in our community and organisation holds an important piece of the puzzle in ending family and domestic violence. We need each person to explore what their piece is and help educate them on how we can all play our part in creating a safer future for women and children.
What impact do you hope the Centre will have on the broader Perth community?
The centre represents a groundbreaking model aimed at changing the future for thousands of Australian women and children, aligning with Ruah’s mission to end FDV. It is a beacon of hope for creating a safer, healthier society.
We were so thrilled to be involved in the Women's Co-op, giving women a shoppable experience. Can you expand on how this concept came to be, and why it’s so important to clients of the center?
The seven-story, purpose-built facility and the Karlup Service that operates within was designed in consultation with Aboriginal Women Elders, as well as Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women with lived experience of family and domestic violence to ensure it is a place where women and their children can be safe, where they will feel welcome, where they can heal and where they can start to rebuild their lives.
The concept of the shoppable experience was created by women with lived experience based on their own experiences at women’s refuges. They did not have access to new clothes, often looking through boxes filled with pre-owned clothes with the hope of finding something that might fit. They wanted women using the service to feel valued. Ruah’s Giving Circle Chair, Jane Bennett, made this possible by connecting Ruah with her network including SIR the Label. With the help of SIR, women can pick out clothing off multiple racks that include a vast selection of options and sizes with the tags still attached. This means they will have outfits whether that be for an interview or just for a special occasion, often for the first time.
Are there plans to collaborate with other organisations or services to enhance the support offered?
Ruah has the flexibility to add additional services offerings through collaboration. The Karlup Service includes ongoing research and evaluation of the effectiveness of the service offerings provided. In terms of the empowerment service Ruah will provide, clients can access a hairdresser, nail technician, clothing stylist and make-up artist.
What inspired the addition of wellness and beauty services like hairdressing and nail care to the Karlup Service?
Ruah aims to restore a woman’s self-esteem, self-image and self-worth through provision of a range of beauty and wellness service, knowing that one of the first casualties of an abusive relationship is the woman’s self-esteem and sense of self-worth.
Beauty and wellness services include, not are not limited to, clothing and styling service, hairdressing and a nail service and will be offered within the Karlup Service to assist women to find new confidence after the effects of Family and Domestic Violence.
How does the Centre’s approach differ from traditional shelters or support services for survivors?
Ruah’s accommodation units at AWBC are not crisis or transitional shelters. They are designed to provide a safe and stable environment where women and their children can begin their journey of recovery and healing.
All The Support You Need, All in One Place:
The Karlup Service has a range of support available to women and their children recovering from FDV.
Walking With You: Every Step, Every Journey:
Women and Children and not alone on this journey. Koorta Guides will walk alongside clients every step of the way. They will offer unwavering support and guidance, ensuring clients and their children have access to the best resources and care throughout their journey.
Child-Centred Care:
Ruah recognises children as victims of FDV in their own right. The Karlup Service provides a safe space for them to recover, with specialised support to address their unique needs and break the cycle of intergenerational trauma.
No Re-traumatisation:
One of the key benefits of the Karlup Service is that it eliminates the need for survivors to repeatedly recount their stories to different service providers. By housing comprehensive services in one location, this reduces the risk of re-traumatisation and streamline the path to recovery.
What message do you want to share with women who may need the services provided by the Ruah Centre?
There are several ways you can connect with the Karlup Service:
- Self-referral by completing the referral form on Ruah’s website
- Referral from another service
- Telephone the Karlup Service
- Walk-in to the Karlup Service.
The Karlup Service operating hours are Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Connect with us:
E: connecting@ruah.org.au
W: ruah.org.au/karlupservice
What do you envision as the long-term legacy of the Angela Wright Bennett Centre and the Karlup Service?
The AWBC and Karlup Service are a step toward ending FDV and creating a safer, healthier society. By pooling our collective strengths and resources, we amplify our impact and move closer to achieving this goal.
Long-term change requires a unified effort. Ongoing partnerships are key to building a future free from violence for all women and children.
How can local businesses and organizations get involved in supporting the Centre’s mission?
Please contact Ruah at fundrasing@ruah.org.au to inquire on how you can be involved.