Women’s Refuge Gore manager Hannah Bain said the organisation was offered an office space at the Balclutha St John centre to house its operations.
The Balclutha branch of Women’s Refuge would act as an extension to its existing work in Gore.
Women’s Refuge offered services to South Otago out of its Gore branch on case by case basis.
Services were offered once a week in South Otago.
Statistics showed the nationwide trend of rising incidents of family violence was also reflected in South Otago.
The rise in incidents was why there was a need for Balclutha to get its own branch so Women’s Refuge could offer support for families, children and women in South Otago.
"There is a need for our support ... in that area so I’m pretty thrilled to be more responsive and cater to their needs," Miss Bain said.
As Women’s Refuge was a crisis service, it typically responded on a needs basis rather than staying open all the time.
"As needs arise we go out into communities."
However, there was a freephone number available at all times should someone need help or advice.
Now there was a social worker based in Balclutha they would have more flexibility and be more accessible for those in the area. The opening for the Balclutha branch is scheduled for July 11.
