Inside the North West Tasmania Women's Shelter.

North West Tasmania Women’s Shelter, formerly known as Warrawee Women’s Shelter, is on a journey of change and reform continuing its strong regional identity.

For more than 40 years, the service has supported families across the North-West and it continues to provide crisis and transitional accommodation alongside therapeutic, wraparound support for women experiencing family violence or housing insecurity.

A major focus for North West Tasmania Women’s Shelter is becoming a fully trauma-responsive service, recognising the complexity of women’s and children’s experiences and prioritising safety, dignity and long-term recovery.

The shelter offers a therapeutic service delivery model, working closely with women to navigate housing, health, legal and social systems. It is also strengthening partnerships with local service providers to ensure women and children can stay together, and receive coordinated, best practice care.

North West Tasmania Women’s Shelter CEO Sophie Hunt (pictured at right) said: “North-West Tasmania has some of the worst family violence statistics in the country, more than three times the national average. The need in this region is undeniable and access to specialist crisis accommodation is central to a coordinated family violence response.’

“It is a privilege to walk alongside brave, resilient women and learn from their stories and experiences. Their voices are at the centre of the decisions we are making for the future of the service.”

Ongoing collaboration with partners, including Homes Tasmania, remains central to their work supporting women into secure, safe housing outcomes.

International Women’s Day is a reminder of the innate strength in women, and that when provided with safety and support, women can empower themselves to escape homelessness, violence and create generational change for their children, and for Tasmania.

Homes Tasmania funds more than $50 million for homelessness services annually. Women and girls can access 14 of the 20 homeless shelters in Tasmania and brokerage services through Housing Connect to access alternative accommodation when shelters are at capacity.

Read more about these services in our shelter accommodation fact sheet (PDF 145.3 KB).