Every year, between the 25th of November and the 10th of December, Toora commemorates 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – a global campaign led by UN Women where communities around the world join the call to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls. This year’s theme is UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls.
Below we have shared just some of the local and national organisations who are working towards ending gender-based violence and discussed practical steps that you can take to support friends and family who have been affected by gender-based violence.
DVCS Canberra
How can a family member, friend or colleague support a woman recovering from domestic violence?
Listening non-judge mentally and believing are two key support mechanisms that anyone can utilize when supporting a woman recovering from domestic violence. You can further offer to help them access and connect to resources such as domestic violence hotlines, shelters, counselling services or legal assistance if they feel comfortable.
What support does DVCS offer to women who have been impacted by domestic violence?
Primarily DVCS offers a 24/7 crisis line that provides immediate telephone support, safety planning, access to safe emergency accommodation and referrals to support services. DVCS also offers a Staying@Home program offering long term, ongoing support to women and their families so they can stay safe in their home after leaving an abusive relationship. We also offer a group program called Moving On that is for women ready to develop strategies and personal resources to help them move on after domestic and family violence, while learning and supporting each other.
How can someone get support from DVCS?
Our first point of contact that anyone can access support through DVCS is via our 24/7 crisis line (02) 6280 0900 and speaking to one of our staff.
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre
How can a family member, friend or colleague support a woman recovering from domestic violence?
The most beneficial thing that a supporter can do for a survivor who has experienced domestic violence of a sexual nature is to offer a safe and supportive environment for the survivor to talk. The response to an initial disclosure can shape a survivor’s willingness to seek support in the future and ultimately their ability to process what has happened. It is important to listen without judgement and believe what they are saying before encouraging them to seek support from professional services if this is what they would like to do.
What support does CRCC offer to women who have been impacted by domestic violence?
CRCC provides support to individuals who have experienced any form of sexual violence including that which has been perpetrated by a family member or intimate partner. CRCC offers a crisis line which can be accessed from 7am to 11pm seven days per week, free, confidential counselling and 24/7 advocacy and support to police stations, hospital and court.
How can someone get support from CRCC?
Anyone who has experienced sexual violence or is a supporter of a survivor can call our crisis line anytime between 7am and 11pm each day. This line is always answered by a trained female crisis counsellor and can be accessed on (02) 6247 2525.
DV Safe Phone
How can a family member, friend or colleague support a woman recovering from domestic violence?
Listen. Lift them up. Lend a hand.
Be that trusted ear for their worries or trauma. Lift them up and reassure them it’s going to be ok. Regularly check in and assist with practical things like cooking meals, helping with kids, or taking them to an appointment.
How does DV Safe Phone make an impact on the lives of women who have left a domestic violence relationship?
Imagine a day without your phone. Loss of independence, frustration, and isolation.
Domestic violence perpetrators maintain control by smashing, stealing, or tracking phones.
DV Safe Phone restores independence, confidence, and connection by providing free mobile phones to domestic violence victim-survivors.
Did you know that Toora is a provider of DV Safe Phones? Contact us today on (02) 6122 7000 or email tooraadmin@toora.org.au.
Women’s Legal Centre ACT
How can a family member, friend or colleague support a woman recovering from domestic violence?
Listen to her. Believe what she is saying and offer support any way you can. You can also encourage her to seek legal advice and access specialist family violence support services.
What support does WLC offer to women who have been impacted by domestic violence?
Our team of lawyers, social workers and paralegals work together to help women impacted by family violence. We provide assistance with
- safe arrangements for you and your children, including parenting arrangements
- separation, division of property and family violence orders
- accessing paid domestic and family violence leave and flexible work arrangements
- migration advice and pathways for women on temporary visas or no visas experiencing family violence
We also have social work support for ongoing clients to help them stay engaged with their legal matter. Our social workers can assist with safety planning, accessing financial assistance and connecting clients to other supports.
All our services are free, safe and confidential.
Why are protection orders important for women who have experienced domestic violence?
Protection orders are one tool – they can be an important tool to assure safety. If a FVO is breached it is a criminal offence and the police are then alerted to the dynamic of family violence within the family. However, in some instances obtaining an FVO may not increase safety. FVOs should form one part of a larger conversation about safety planning with an individual and whether it will promote safety for them.
How can someone get support from WLC?
People can call our Advice and Intake line between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday on 02 6257 4377 or 1800 634 669. People can also fill out the ‘Get Help’ form on our website – https://wlc.org.au/ and we will contact the person in a way that is safe for them.
YWCA Canberra
How can a family member, friend or colleague support a woman recovering from domestic violence?
Supporting a woman recovering from domestic violence is a sensitive role that family members, friends, or colleagues can play. It’s crucial to listen without judgment, show them that you believe them, reassure them of your support, and respect their choices. Provide information about local resources, like DVCS and YWCA Canberra’s Domestic Violence Support Service, but ultimately let them decide when to seek help.
Throughout the process of providing support, prioritize their safety and let them know that violence is never ok, and they are not to be blamed for what is happening to them. If possible, offer practical assistance with tasks like transportation or childcare. Be patient and respect their boundaries, understanding that recovery is a long and very challenging process. Educate yourself about domestic violence and check in regularly to show your care. By following these principles, you can provide valuable support during their journey to healing and recovery.
What support does YWCA offer to women who have been impacted by domestic violence?
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing domestic and family violence, help is available.
YWCA Domestic Violence Support Service provides free, confidential, non-judgemental support to help women decide what steps they want to take, and then support them through those steps.
Whether you are thinking about staying in your relationship, leaving, or don’t know yet what you want to do, we can help you decide what’s best for you and support you to take action.
Our domestic and family violence specialists can provide you with information and advice and support you in assessing your risk and planning for your safety, including how to exit an abusive relationship if you choose to. We can also support you once you have already left an abusive relationship.
Our aim is to support you to make informed decisions around your safety and wellbeing.
Our support includes:
- helping you understand domestic and family violence.
- providing emotional support in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
- supporting you through the process of getting a family violence order, including connecting you with legal services.
- helping you make plans to leave an abusive relationship if that is your choice, including identifying risk and appropriate safety measures, and helping you exit safely.
- connecting you with specialist services for housing, consumer and legal rights, finances and other wrap-around services.
- advocating on your behalf where needed.
- helping you to get your house assessed for safety and getting safety upgrades.
- supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of you and your family.
- providing material assistance or referring you to services that can help.
Our support service is available from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm. We can provide support in the community, over the phone, online or in one of our offices, located in Civic and Conder. You can get in touch with our team by calling 02 6185 2000 or emailing respect@ywca-canberra.org.au. Our diverse team speaks multiple languages to enhance accessibility for women from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds. We also deliver culturally sensitive support to First Nation’s women.
What do you wish people knew about domestic violence and the impacts it has on survivors and their families?
Domestic and Family violence is a pervasive but preventable issue that adversely impacts our communities. It is a gendered issue and women are more likely than men to experience domestic and family violence. Figures collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in 2017 showed that around 1.6 million Australian women had been harmed or abused by a current or former partner, compared to 548,000 men.
In Australia, around one in four women have experienced domestic and family violence.
Domestic and Family violence is the greatest cause for injuries, hospitalisation and death for women.
On average, one woman a week is killed by her ex or current intimate partner.
Domestic and family violence is also the leading cause of homelessness.
According to the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, domestic and family violence is the main reason women and children leave their homes.
Mental health issues impact people both during and after domestic and family violence.
Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) says 65 percent of women report having poor psychological wellbeing even after their experiences of violence have stopped.
Women affected by domestic and family violence are more likely to face financial hardship. According to an ANROWS report, women who experience domestic violence are more likely to have difficulty paying their bills, are more likely to have high levels of debt, and are more likely to seek welfare assistance.