
7am The frontline of Australia’s family violence crisis
Jan 25, 2026
Kalina Morgan-Whyman, CEO of Elizabeth Morgan House and granddaughter of its founder, leads culturally safe refuge work for First Nations women. She discusses the complexity of cases, intergenerational trauma, systemic misidentification of victims, fragile funding for crisis services, and the need for healing-focused long-term support.
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Daily High-Risk Crises
- Kalina describes daily crises like lockdowns when a woman is kidnapped or hospitalized because her partner found out she's being supported.
- Their refuge is a four-unit high-secure facility and one crisis property serving women with no phones or money.
Service Gaps Deepen Trauma
- Women arrive having waited in parks or motels with no money, phones, or safety nets, which worsens trauma.
- Elizabeth Morgan House is the only statewide Aboriginal service funded for crisis accommodation as a federal pilot.
Complex Trauma Drives Complexity
- Family violence cases are complex due to co-occurring AOD, mental health and homelessness issues.
- Psychological trauma can make survivors act violently or damage property as a nervous-system response.
