The State Government has reinforced its commitment to helping women experiencing domestic, family, and sexual violence with the expansion of The Yellow Gate, a Southern Domestic Violence Prevention and Recovery Hub. Officially relaunched this week, the hub has moved into better premises at the Colonnades Shopping Centre in Noarlunga. This move provides increased space and better facilities to assist women in need.
Coordinated by Community Justice Services SA, The Yellow Gate is a crucial local resource offering confidential, no-cost support for women. The redesigned hub includes a shared reception to expedite services, private consultation areas, and a specially designed medical room, all tailored to improve the support experience for clients.
The Southern Hub’s relocation aligns with the State Government’s financial commitment of $2 million over two years aimed at supporting both Northern and Southern hubs. The 2025–26 State Budget has allocated an extra $1 million over two years specifically for the Southern Hub.
Functioning as a comprehensive service point, The Yellow Gate integrates multiple support facilities under one roof, including those provided by Cedar Health and Yarrow Place. The hub offers a range of services from DFSV counselling and safety planning to medical and legal advice, all customised to meet individual needs.
In the previous year, the hub assisted 348 women, with over half reporting they had children. The hub also actively participated in many community events to promote awareness and connect women with the necessary support services.
Employment support has seen a boost through the Commonwealth Government’s 500 Workers Initiative, with the addition of two full-time equivalent positions for DFSV counselling and one for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specialist worker.
Katrine Hildyard, MP and Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence and Minister for Women, stated, “Since its inception, the Yellow Gate has made a really positive difference in women’s lives, helping them know that when they are experiencing violence, they are not alone. The Yellow Gate brings key supports together – counselling, safety planning, advocacy, health and other wrap-around help, because when someone experiencing violence reaches out, the system must be easy to access, co-ordinated and able to meet them where they are at.”
In response to the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence on December 12th, the State Government committed $674 million to enhance supports and services.
Alexandra Psarras, CEO of Community Justice Services SA, also shared, “Earlier this year we also welcomed the State Government’s increase in their funding commitment to our service – demonstrating insight into the needs of women living in the south of Adelaide. The Yellow Gate belongs to the women living in our community and has developed uniquely in a way, to fit their needs. The Yellow Gate provides these women with a safe community-feel space, to receive trauma-informed and holistic support from specialist services, close to home and ‘under one roof’.”
As The Yellow Gate anticipates ongoing growth and success, it remains dedicated to its mission of ending violence against women, with strong ongoing support from the State Government.
For individuals experiencing or at risk of domestic, family, or sexual violence, support can be accessed through the national helpline 1800RESPECT or the SA-specific Domestic Violence Crisis Line provided by Women’s Safety Services SA.
