A woman in regional South Australia has taken the fight to stop domestic violence into her own hands and opened a self-funded safe house.

Milli, not her real name, is a survivor of domestic violence and escaped an abusive partner in Queensland 19 years ago, while working in the Australian Army.

"I was a soldier in Townsville in 1995 when I met [my former partner]," Milli said.

"In the first eight months, we had quite a few incidents of him becoming very violent.

"I had a broken nose, a broken jaw … I had to give birth very early, when I was seven months pregnant [due to the physical abuse].

"He would tell people I had been going to bars, even when heavily pregnant, and would say 'She's been getting in fights' … and people believed him.

"I would come to work with bruises and they would try their hardest to help me … but I just thought, 'I deserve this'."

Milli finally left the relationship after successfully seeking custody of her then-newborn daughter.

DVINA makes "Angel Packs" of toys and personal products to give to families. ( ABC News: Isabel Dayman )

After years of working on her personal recovery, Milli decided to set up an organisation called Domestic Violence Is Never Acceptable (DVINA) to help others experiencing abuse.

"I thought, this is the time now. I can start giving back to those that need it and those that need to know that I care," she said.

After reading about Milli's story in a local newspaper, another domestic violence survivor in regional South Australia donated a property to DVINA, which has since been furnished and stocked with donations from friends, family and businesses.

Milli said the new safe house was due to open in October and would assist domestic violence victims of both genders, not just women.

"It's men that are victims too … and they need to be believed," she said.

"[Men and women] know they can come here and get the help. They don't have to sit at home and think, where can I go?

"It's not a money factor. We will take you in."

SA's shortage of crisis accommodation needs addressing

DVINA's managing director and domestic violence survivor EmmaJane Paterson said one of the biggest barriers for women and men trying to leave violent homes was a lack of practical support and crisis accommodation.

"I had to practically beg for help … and then it would be, 'Come back on Monday'," Ms Paterson said.

"I've seen some pretty bad [accommodation] with holes in the walls, no heating, no cooling … the roof coming apart.

DVINA founder Milli with team members Liam Goodrich and EmmaJane Paterson. ( ABC News: Isabel Dayman )

"Our dream is to have [a safe house] in every state — and who knows if that will happen — but we're certainly wanting to master this one in particular as a pilot."

The State Government is yet to respond to a Social Development Committee report into domestic and family violence released in April this year, which recommended more money be directed towards funding safe housing options for victims.

Minister for the Status of Women Zoe Bettison said the State Government was still considering the 35 recommendations offered in the report.

"We are currently working on an across Government response to the recommendations," Ms Bettison said.

"This response will also include consideration of the recent Domestic Violence Discussion paper.

"I am due to report back to the Parliament in November on the progress of this work."

Ms Bettison said the State Government was continuing to lobby the Commonwealth Government to secure long-term funding for emergency and crisis accommodation beyond June 30, 2017.