The Sebastion Foundation // Women’s Refuges

The Sebastian Foundation is one of the only organisations working within the sphere of Domestic Violence and Women’s Refuges. Applying the knowledge, skills and funds to assist in practical ways the foundation is able to provide the most benefit to those in need.

Through engagement with Women’s Refuges across the greater Sydney area, The Sebastian Foundation has provided much needed upgrades allowing many shelters to operate beyond their previous capacity. An amazing example of this includes a make-over of the Sydney Women’s Shelter garden. The aim of the foundation was to make sure the women who are affected by domestic violence feel like their space is not only safe but beautiful. Having an oasis where they can grow herbs, take care of their surroundings and take some time to relax might seem like something small, but it makes a huge difference in their lives.

Within the sphere of Domestic Violence and Women’s Refuges there are two key challenges that The Sebastian Foundation is working to address:

1. On average, it takes women leaving a situation of domestic violence eight attempts to leave for good.
2. One in three women are exposed to violence at some point in their life.

When entering into many of the women’s refuges across Australia, they are threadbare. The couches are sunk, the kitchen bench laminate is peeling, drawers hanging off hinges, etc. These refuges are welcoming but not comfortable and often the standard is below where women who are escaping domestic violence might have been living. The Sebastian Foundation goes into these spaces and make them more functional, but also more beautiful allowing these women to be more comfortable as they seek refuge. The impact of this is that it shows the women escaping the grips of domestic violence the sort of home they deserve. By increasing the practicality and comfort of the shelters the foundation can provide those who need it most, the chance to stay another night and not go back to a home with violence.

International Aid

The Sebastian Foundation is currently working in conjunction with World Vision. They are in the process of implementing a plan that will directly impact the perpetrators of domestic violence in the Solomon Islands, where there is a 65% incidence of family violence.

Future Projects

On a local level, the Sebastian Foundation have a number of shelter renovation projects that will be delivered across Sydney, the Illawarra and the Central Coast – with aid from Bohemian Traders.

Images courtesy of The Sebastian Foundation and Green Options.