New centre offers hope in community with sky-high DV rates

Western Australia's northernmost community has opened a centre for men in a bid to curb its domestic violence rate.

Kalumburu police and residents collaborated to create The Men's Place.

The centre still needs furniture in order to accommodate overnight stays.

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.

He said police often offered support to struggling men, which could 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.

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

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.