Domestic violence is a very real and prevalent issue facing our society with reported incidents doubling in NSW over the past 10 years. If you’re in a relationship where you are abused physically, sexually or mentally, there are many local services that can help you escape domestic violence.
According to a report by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), domestic violence incidents recorded by the police in the decade up to 2021 increased by 110 per cent, from 8120 to 17,063.
“We know that tragically, in this country, one in every six women continues to experience physical or sexual violence by a current or former partner,” Premier Dominic Perrottet said.
No-one should ever have to live in fear, but the reality is, many victims don’t know where to seek help, or where they can go to access it.
Everyone deserves a safe home, free from violence.
LISTEN NOW: HOW TO LEAVE AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
What is Domestic Violence?
According to the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women:
Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.
What is a refuge?
When escaping domestic violence, many women and children have nowhere to run. A refuge offers respite when they are at their most vulnerable, which clients often remark “gives them time to breathe”.
Many arrive with just the clothes on their backs. Once their physical and safety needs are addressed, the process of supporting them to rebuild their lives begins. Immediate support and accommodation includes the essentials of food, clothing and shelter. Many refuges then offer support services to help them get back on their feet.
A plan forward is made and worked towards with relocation services in place to help with transitional housing, bridging loans, the purchase of appliances and furniture and more.
North Shore services for women escaping domestic violence
Immediate Crisis Services
- Mary’s House (Lower North Shore): a community-funded refuge on the lower north shore of Sydney accepting clients of all cultures and denominations from all around Australia.
- Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter (Hornsby): support for women experiencing domestic violence and homelessness through crisis accommodation and outreach services in the community
- Catholic Care, Northern Sydney: provides a range of services to assist women and children experiencing domestic and family violence.
- Delvena Women and Children’s Refuge (Lower North Shore): crisis accommodation for women and children escaping domestic violence.
- Killara Refuge: crisis accommodation and case management service for women with children who have experienced domestic/family violence. Provide safe shared accommodation with individual bedrooms.
Ongoing Support
- The Daisy Centre: provides services to women experiencing domestic and family violence. It is a physical and virtual, safe place providing tailored services meeting the individual needs of clients at their level of comfort.
- Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Survivors Group: confidential and informal support is offered to residents within the Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai areas by domestic and family violence survivors who understand first hand the challenges and complications associated with being a survivor. Support is informal and provided either one-on-one or in small groups which meet over coffee.
- Family Project: a charitable initiative designed to help support the mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of families through an inspirational and clinically supported daily family project.
- Fitted for Work: help women in Australia experiencing disadvantages get work, keep work and navigate through working life with success.
Women’s Support Groups
- Women of Strength Support Group: an 8-week support group for women who have experienced an abusive relationship.
Northern Beaches services for women escaping domestic violence
Immediate Crisis Services
- Bringa Women & Children’s Refuge: provides crisis accmmodation to women and children escaping domestic violence for up to three months while providing case management to address the complex needs of mothers and their children.
- Catholic Care, Northern Beaches: provides a range of services to assist women and children experiencing domestic and family violence.
- Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter: provide an individual case management, outcomes-based approach, assisting women to access permanent accommodation and community support services.
Ongoing Support
- Family Project: a charitable initiative designed to help support the mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of families through an inspirational and clinically supported daily family project.
- Fitted for Work: help women in Australia experiencing disadvantages get work, keep work and navigate through working life with success.
- Northern Beaches Council: they link young people, children and families to culturally sensitive services in your local area.
Women’s Support Groups
- Northern Beaches Council: a monthly support and short-term counseling and coaching for women who have experienced domestic violence. It is an online or face to face support group, run by registered counsellors.
CALD services for women escaping domestic violence
- Bonnie Support Services: assist women who have experienced domestic or family violence and/or who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
- Open Support: assist women and their children who are escaping an abusive home by providing safe accommodation and specialised support.
- Womens’ and Girls’ Emergency Centre: support women and children impacted by homelessness, domestic violence and systemic disadvantage. They do this by providing material aid, case management, biopsychosocial support, accommodation, and crisis responses.
- CASS Care: to help newly arrived Chinese speaking migrants regain control of their life, CASS will provide extra Domestic & Family Violence casework services.
- Interrelate: a NFP provider of relationship services that specialises in supporting parents and children.
- Sydney Multicultural Community Services: in partnership with the Australian Red Cross, they a series of workshops focused on Employment Skills.
- The Social Outfit: provide employment and training to people from refugee and new migrant communities in clothing production, retail, design and marketing.
Emergency Resources
- NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 65 64 63
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- If you are in danger, call 000
LISTEN NOW: HOW TO LEAVE AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
