Find out about SWSPHN’s 2023 Corporate Charity
On average, approximately one woman is killed every 10 days by an intimate partner in Australia.
In NSW specifically, there were 31,775 recorded incidents of domestic violence-related assault in the 12 months to June 2022 and 137 domestic violence-related murders in the five years to December 2021.
These statistics reinforce the vital role of not-for-profit women’s health centres like WILMA (Women In the Local Macarthur Area) run by women, for women.
Dr Vanessa Olsen, from WILMA, spoke passionately about the scope of her organisation’s work and the importance of approaching women’s health in a holistic way, at SWSPHN’s March staff meeting.
WILMA is SWSPHN’s 2023 Corporate Charity, and will benefit from our fundraising activities throughout the year.
Dr Olsen (pictured left with SWSPHN staff) told the meeting: “every cent counts”.
She said the Macarthur region had seen one of the biggest increases in domestic violence across the state with Camden LGA experiencing a 45 per cent increase in domestic violence cases. This has led to a significant increase in women trying to access counselling and casework services at WILMA.
“WILMA started because women recognised that women’s health was not being approached in a holistic way,” she said. “At WILMA, we treat a woman holistically.”
WILMA has been caring for women in the Macarthur area for 35 years. And, Dr Olsen said, it had been 35 years since the Campbelltown-based service had last had a funding increase.
“We need to increase our funding because demand is huge in this area and it’s not going away,” Dr Olsen told the meeting.
“Nearly every woman who walks through our doors has a history of, or is experiencing domestic violence. My background is trauma and we know trauma affects all parts of a person’s life.”
Dr Olsen said women came to WILMA with not only concerns about domestic violence and sexual assault, but because of increasing concerns over food security and housing.
She told SWSPHN staff WILMA offered many different services and lots entry points for accessing support, including social gardening groups, and craft and mindfulness activities which provided a safe place to start a conversation.
“In our area (domestic violence) is huge and people are not talking about it. Why? Shame is the big issue. Shame is the thing that keeps people quiet. We need to break down the barrier of shame,” Dr Olsen said.
“A women’s only health centre creates a safe space, which is integral to removing that shame. We are trying to bring out the voice of women in our area, it’s time to stop the violence and fund services for women.”
Services WILMA provides includes:
- Counselling
- Women’s health nurse
- Natural therapies
WILMA’s counsellors and health practitioners often run groups such as:
- Art therapy
- Healing from domestic violence
- Mindfulness skills and building confidence
- Compassion for self
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger management
- Self-esteem and confidence building
- Menopause
- Lesbian and Bisexual Support Group
Dr Olsen thanked SWSPHN for our support.
“We have got so many programs we are trying to get off the ground so every cent counts,” she said.
You can find more information about WILMA on its website.