New centre offers hope in community with high DV rates

A new men's space has been created in a remote West Australian community in a bid to curb its domestic violence rate, which is one of the highest in the country. 

With the Benyjin Gulaali (The Men's Place) opening in Kalumburu, more than 3,000 kilometres north of Perth, there is hope it will increase safety in the community. 

Police data shows that in 2026 there have been 46 domestic and family violence incidents in Kalumburu. 

The total of 193 offences against a person in 2025 was the highest number for the 400-person community in the past 10 years. 

Sergeant Brian Welch, one of two police officers in Kalumburu, has seen a shortage of services for people involved in domestic violence incidents.

"There's nothing for men here at all in the community," he said.

He says police often offer support to struggling men, which can be "a cup of tea and a chat" at the police station to de-escalate tension that could otherwise lead to violence.

"We try to talk to them before you get to that space where there's violence involved," Sergeant Welch said.

But Sergeant Welch has long been advocating for men to have a dedicated space and support.

A place to open up

The men's space will offer emergency accommodation, support and community, and, for now, is open three mornings a week.

"It's my idea, but it's a community thing," Sergeant Welch said.

The project started from talks with community members such as Jeremy Kowan.

"We've been waiting for that for a few years, now it's up and going," he said.

Mr Kowan said men who were struggling with relationships and a lack of support services used to turn to him and other elders for advice.

"I used to talk my way through to them, tell them 'just don't worry'," he said.

"Just think about you your family, your young ones. Think about them, their future ahead and just don't worry about the outside things."

Mr Kowan is excited Kalumburu men now have a dedicated space.

"The women got their own place, the men got their own place now," he said.

"The men are all starting to like that place, and every time I drive past I see them relaxing on the lounges, and talking away and laughing … it's really good."

Small community, big problem

Kalumburu has fewer than 400 residents, making the need for a space for men more pronounced.

Sergeant Welch said enforcing restriction orders, which aimed to guarantee safety for victims, was a challenge.

"If they get served with police orders, they have to leave their home and there's really nowhere for them to go other than to other family members," he said.

In Kalumburu, houses are often overcrowded, with multiple generations and extended families forced to live under one roof.

Colleen Zulian, who runs Kalumburu Strong Women Centre, said sometimes offenders had nowhere to go and ended up on the streets or back with their partners.

"Most houses are overcrowded, so that in itself gives restrictions to them going to another house," she said.

"When there's an FDV situation, the mother and all the kids have to come."

Lack of support 'contributes to DV'

Ms Zulian has been supporting women in the community for years.

"The men haven't had any support, which contributes to DV and family disagreements," she said.

Ms Zulian said more counselling could help healing and turning things around for this generation and the next.

"Hopefully more services will come because now they have a space where they can reach the men," she said.

The centre has not reached its full potential and still needs furniture to offer emergency accommodation, but it has already provided employment and hope for a brighter future.

"We can do that, help the families, stop people from violence," Mr Kowan said.

"Because that's not good for the young ones, whilst they are growing up they are looking at violence.

"We need to stop them from doing that, sit down and have a talk with them."