New centre offers hope in community with high DV rates
A men's centre is offering hope for change in a remote community with high rates of family violence.
A new centre, The Men's Place, has opened in Kalumburu, a remote community in northwestern Western Australia, in an effort to tackle the area's high domestic violence rate. Kalumburu, with a population of fewer than 400 residents, has seen a rise in domestic and family violence incidents in recent years, with 46 recorded in 2026 and 193 in 2025, the highest figure in a decade.
Sergeant Brian Welch, one of the two police officers in the community, has noticed a lack of services for men involved in such incidents. He and the community have collaborated to create The Men's Place, which will provide emergency accommodation, support, and a sense of community. The centre, still in need of furniture, is open three mornings a week.
Jeremy Kowan, a community member and elder, has been advocating for a dedicated space for men, sharing his own experiences and advice with those struggling with relationships and support services. The women's centre in Kalumburu, Kalumburu Strong Women Centre, supports women in the community and has expressed hope that more services will follow, as the lack of options for men often leads to overcrowded homes and domestic violence.
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