New family, domestic and sexual violence service focuses on long-term recovery and healing

Victim-survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence in South Western Sydney will soon have access to a new service supporting their long-term recovery. 

Anglicare Sydney and CatholicCare Sydney are partnering to deliver the mental health services key component of the Supporting Recovery Program across the region, from 1 March 2024.  

Local Care Teams (LCTs) are another key component of the Supporting Recovery Program Model of Care and a LCT within South Western Sydney will also be established, with the supplier of this component yet to be announced. 

South Western Sydney PHN (SWSPHN) is one of six PHNs across the country commissioning services as part of the $67 million Department of Health and Aged Care program. 

SWSPHN Chief Executive Officer, Dr Keith McDonald PhD, said he was pleased South Western Sydney would benefit from the innovative program which aimed to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for victim-survivors. 

“The program will be trauma-informed, person-centred and recovery-focused, and offer psychological therapies and other appropriate wellbeing and social interventions within our region,” he said. 

“The point of difference to other family, domestic and sexual violence services will be its focus on longer-term recovery and healing services, rather than crisis support.” 

Services will initially be delivered to the Campbelltown, Liverpool and Fairfield communities due to higher rates of family, domestic and sexual violence in those local government areas (LGAs). 

However, services may be expanded across Bankstown, Camden, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly LGAs based on need and demand. 

There were approximately 5,234 domestic violence-related assault offences across South Western Sydney from July 2022 to June 2023 (NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research). 

South Western Sydney DV related assaults, July 2022-June 2023 

The Australian Institute of Family Studies (Melbourne) reported in 2015 that populations at higher risk of family, domestic and sexual violence include women and children from:  

• culturally and linguistically diverse communities 
• people living with disability 
• people from rural areas

Mental health services will include free, long-term and trauma-informed care via a no wrong door approach (which means every door in the public support service system is the “right” door to access support). 

Once commissioned, the LCT will be embedded into an existing service, and will manage individual cases, providing care and warm referrals to trauma-informed services for victim-survivors.  

Anglicare Sydney and CatholicCare Sydney will work in partnership with the LCT and the victim-survivor for identified stepped care and referral pathway needs as part of the program.  

Anglicare’s Head of Mental Health, Michael Sheedy, said: “Both our organisations have worked alongside victim-survivors of domestic and sexual violence across a wide range of communities for many years.

“That experience shows us again and again that the journey toward healing and recovery can take time, and we want to help people throughout that journey.” 

CatholicCare’s Director of Child and Family Safety Services, Kirsten Mead, said: “Being able to access tailored long-term mental health support is such an important part of healing for so many victim-survivors.

“This model of care enables people to receive the support they need in a flexible trauma-informed way and at no cost, which can often be a barrier to seeking help for many people.” 

The program is part of a suite of initiatives to reduce all forms of family, domestic and sexual violence and supports the implementation of the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-23.