Northern NSW Local Health District

Supporting Women who are Experiencing Domestic and Family Violence

Information for North Coast Region Service Providers

This resource has been updated and reproduced by Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSW LHD) Women’s Health and Domestic Violence Program to cover the NSW north coast area from Taree in the south to Tweed Heads in the north. The original flipchart was produced by the Hunter Domestic Violence Taskforce (HDVT), a subcommittee of the Hunter Regional Coordination Management Group. This resource was reproduced in 2010 by the North Coast Area Health Service, Women’s Health and Domestic Violence Program. We acknowledge the work of the HDVT group in developing the original resource and thank them for making this resource available for updating for the north coast.

NOTE FOR FRONTLINE WORKERS

• Once you have identified domestic violence is happening, refer the client or customer to someone in your own organisation who is experienced in responding to domestic violence. Alternatively,
• This resource will assist you to make appropriate referrals relevant for safety and protection for those affected by domestic violence.

ISBN: 978-0-646-51512-0

For copies please contact:

Women’s Health and Domestic Violence Service, NNSW LHD,
PO Box 498, Lismore, NSW, 2480,
0428 400 880 or Ellie.Saberi@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au

A NOTE ON GENDERED LANGUAGE

A 2004 study by the NSW Bureau of Crime, Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), showed that in NSW the statistics for partner relationships show that males assaulted 95% of female victims. Therefore the language used throughout this document generally refers to men as the offenders of domestic and family violence, and women as the victims.
Men affected by DV can be referred to:

• Any service which is not identified as a women’s service
• Mensline Australia 1300 789 978.

We also acknowledge that domestic and family violence occurs in same-sex relationships.

SUPPORT FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

• Ensure a calm, comfortable environment for the client
• Ask what has happened
• Listen and believe
• Do not make assumptions

REFER HER TO THE APPROPRIATE PERSON IN YOUR ORGANISATION OR:

• Assess her immediate safety
• Assess other risks e.g. children and family
• Ask her what information she needs
• Respond to issues of safety e.g. need for an ADVO, safety plans, where can she and her children be safe
• Identify her support networks e.g. family, friends, contacts
• Refer her to the relevant support services

Ask your client if she would like you to give her the contact phone numbers so she can make inquires herself. Alternatively she may prefer that you make the initial contact on her behalf and perhaps make an appointment. Offer the client this choice.

Always take case notes, they may be needed should a matter go to a court hearing