Maree Kerr says the interim Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre is providing vital support for women, however a permanent centre is critically needed. Photo: Supplied.
The newly-appointed CEO of Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre Maree Kerr says the harrowing statistics on domestic, family and sexual violence reinforce the serious need for a permanent centre.
Ms Kerr, who was the centre’s interim CEO, said she would continue to work with Illawarra politicians to ensure a permanent facility was built to provide a safe space for women to reconcile, recover and heal from trauma.
The senior executive and company director – including a role as Healthy Cities Illawarra General Manager – has experience in healthcare, government consultation, financial management and organisational operations.
Ms Kerr said her time as interim CEO had reinforced the need for informed and broad ranging support structure for victim survivors.
“For me, over the last two months, working with women with lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence has been profound,” she said.
“The trauma they carry every day touches nearly all aspects of their lives, it flows on to their children and the community.
“I must point out however, that the statistics on domestic, family and sexual violence are harrowing, and increasing, and therefore whilst this centre is so obviously needed, it is still only the interim site.
“Knowing it has the support of the Illawarra community and that both the model of care – and the fit out of the centre – have been co-designed with women with lived experience gives me confidence that we can deliver what women who want to heal and recover from domestic, family and sexual violence need, when they need it and for as long as they need it.
“We still have a lot of work to do before we fully open but I, the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre and the staff are absolutely committed to ensuring women of the Illawarra will receive the highest quality, compassionate support they need for their recovery and healing.
“The need for a permanent, larger site remains imperative and I look forward to working with our local MPs to make sure that happens.
Illawarra Women’s Health Centre Executive Director Sally Stevenson said Ms Kerr had the strong business and leadership skills needed to drive delivery of much-needed services, provide a strong foundation for the centre to thrive and grow while fostering positive relationships across all stakeholders within the community.
“Maree has impeccable credentials in healthcare as well as robust understanding of both the private and not-for-profit sectors which will be invaluable when advocating for victim survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence,” she said.
“Her operational expertise, governance experience, leadership reputation and interpersonal skills make her uniquely qualified to lead the centre in its ambition to address the healing and recovery needs of victim survivors, while also providing a powerful voice in the national discussion on breaking intergenerational cycles of violence through healing.”
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