The Safe Night Space in East Perth – which has provided shelter for vulnerable women for the last two and a half years – has closed.

In spite of pleas from support service RUAH and the state government, the Rod Evans Community Centre on Hay Street will now be used for other purposes.

Ruah CEO Debra Zanella told Gary Adshead on 6PR Mornings closing the centre in the middle of the 16 Days in WA campaign – and just before Christmas – is shameful.

“The national data shows that women choose to return to a man of violence because the alternative is sleeping on the street poverty or assault. Is that what we’re really saying to women?” Ms Zanella said.

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