Strong bonds to community can be key to next steps for DV survivors

As the United Nations annual campaign to raise awareness around domestic violence and gender-based violence – 16 Days of Activism – it is more important than ever for the community-at-large to step up and assist those most in need of assistance.

A number of WA not for profits have created programs and services specifically designed to help women and children who are escaping instances of gender-based violence rebuild their lives. Here are just a few of examples of positive change in action.

Walking alongside women

Uniting WA’s Strengthening Families team delivers a family and domestic violence program called Moorditj Yorga – Together Walking. The program is a free and confidential service open to First Nations women residing in the Fremantle, Cockburn and Melville areas, who are at risk of, or who are experiencing family and domestic violence.

“Our Family Violence Practitioners walk alongside women in the Moorditj Yorga – Together Walking program to help them feel safe and supported and to build the skills needed to respond to future adversity,” said Uniting WA Strengthening Families Practice Lead Tara Seaward.

“We offer one-to-one counselling and advocacy, as well as practical assistance, including safety plans for women and their children, introductions to other services, and help with housing or accommodation applications and Court attendance for restraining orders.”

The program also holds regular group yarns on different topics, including self-care and budgeting, and a 1:1 literacy program designed to be a steppingstone for women to build their literacy skills and confidence.

“We have been fortunate to engage speakers from organisations such as the Fremantle Women’s Health Centre and Uniting WA’s Financial Counsellors for our group yarns and support from volunteers and former clients for the literacy program,” said Uniting WA Family Violence Practitioner, Brenda Garlett.

Moorditj Yorga – Together Walking has made a considerable and positive difference in the lives of the women supported, including Julie*. 32-year-old Julie came from the Kimberleys and sought support from Uniting WA after escaping violence.

Initially, Julie was fearful and anxious and experienced frequent panic attacks. Uniting WA supported Julie with accommodation and mental health support. She also joined the Moorditj Yorga – Together Walking program.

The program and the support provided have positively impacted Julie’s life. She completed the literacy program and certificate II, which empowered her and provided her with the practical skills needed to be ready to enrol in a diploma course at TAFE.

Julie’s mind set has also changed to having a positive outlook on life. She continues with her counselling sessions, and she is becoming empowered to achieve her goals, which she has set for herself.

Collaboration with other services has also been critical. Uniting WA has engaged with the Fremantle District Family Domestic Violence Coordinator, enabling discussions about how the police and family domestic violence services can work together with Aboriginal victims of family domestic violence.

“We’re incredibly proud of Moorditj Yorga – Together Walking and the women we’ve supported, and last financial year 100% of our clients reported having increased skills to manage their future problems”, said Ms Seaward.

*Name changed to protect privacy.

Funding essential to reach more young people

Anglicare WA have developed a counselling program specifically for young people to help break the cycle of family and domestic violence.

Called Young Heart, the service requires a substantial input of funds to maintain its current levels of support.

“In the 22/23 Financial Year, we estimate that our current Young Hearts counsellors will support approximately 637 clients across seven regions of Western Australia,” said Anglicare WA’s Director of Services, Philippa Boldy.

These numbers are made up of 279 children (our primary clients) and 358 parents/caregivers.  

“Currently, we only have sufficient funds to operate in Mandurah and Rockingham, however we know there is demand to expand the service to support other at-risk communities throughout Western Australia.” 

A 1.0 FTE counsellor typically holds 1,175 sessions per year. Since the average young client requires approximately 8.6 sessions (at least one of which will include parents/caregivers), a 1.0 FTE counsellor can be expected to support 137 children and 175 parents/caregivers. 

“The service is currently supported by Telethon, Austal and the Alcoa Foundation,” said Ms Boldy.

“However. we urgently need to seek funding for more counsellors to ensure young people are not kept on the wait list and receive the support\ they need.

“For every $102,000 we raise, we can place another full-time counsellor where the need is greatest.” 

Emergency aid when it’s most needed

While Vinnies in Western Australia is not a primary provider of family and domestic violence services, its Emergency Assistance and Support and Housing Plus programs program provide victim-survivors of FDV with practical support during times of crisis.

Vinnies helps by providing emergency accommodation – such as a motel for a night when crisis accommodation is not available as well as clothing, toiletries, blankets, and toys. This is because many women and children are forced to escape with only the clothing on their back and leave beloved toys and playthings behind in the rush to safety.

Equally important is the requirement to offer emotional support – a listening ear during the more vulnerable moments has been shown to reduce the risk of women going back to their abusive partner.

As women and their children adjust to their new situation away from an abusive home, the requirement to put food on the table never ends. As such, Vinnies is able to offer food and financial help with bills, providing a vital starting point as single parents try to make ends meet in their new, safe home. In the same vein, Vinnies can donate furniture and whitegoods because furnishing a home is an enormous expense out of reach of many in dire straits.

Perhaps most importantly, medium-term housing is on offer, giving those in need a safe, secure and supportive housing option to enable people to work with their support worker to find a longer term solution.

“The State President Housing Fund is another initiative that supports women and children fleeing family and domestic violence,” said Vinnies WA CEO, Susan Rooney.

It was established in 2021 to support families and individuals at risk of losing their homes due to overdue rent or other housing and accommodation expenses.

“The fund was also used to support families in crisis living in temporary accommodation. In 2021/22, the fund was accessed a total of 149 times to assist 107 families or individuals,” said Ms Rooney.

“With Vinnies’ help, these families and individuals have been able to stay in their homes or move from a crisis situation to more stable housing.”