02 November 2023
Violence doesn’t start at physical abuse or harm. It starts with attitudes, behaviours and beliefs that create and contribute to an unequal power dynamic which ultimately harms everyone.
– (EVIE Project: Ending Violence Improving Equality)
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today. It is an obstacle to equality, development, peace and the fulfilment of women and girls’ human rights. (United Nations)
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign which kicks off on 25 November – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – and is bookended by Human Rights Day on 10 December.
The campaign started in 1991, and is coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organising strategy by individuals and organisations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
While it’s easy to view violence against women and girls as an “over there” problem, the reality is that it’s insidious and all around us.
From July 2022 to June 2023, there were 34,700 domestic violence related assaults in NSW (NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research). Numbers have increased by 3.2 per cent over the last five years.
South Western Sydney DV related assaults, July 2022-June 2023
| Local Government Area |
No. of domestic violence
related assaults |
Per 100,000 people |
NSW ranking |
| Camden |
306 |
255.1 |
99 |
| Campbelltown |
998 |
561.7 |
49 |
| Canterbury-Bankstown |
1457 |
498 |
71 |
| Fairfield |
961 |
438.2 |
64 |
| Liverpool |
1228 |
524 |
54 |
| Wingecarribee |
135 |
257.4 |
97 |
| Wollondilly |
149 |
275 |
72 |
On average, one woman is killed every 10 days in Australia by an intimate partner.
These statistics emphasise the importance of not-for-profit women’s health centres like WILMA (Women in the Local Macarthur Area) in the community.
“Nearly every woman who walks through our doors has a history of, or is experiencing, domestic violence,” WILMA manager Dr Vanessa Olsen said earlier this year.
She said the Macarthur region had seen one of the largest increases in domestic violence across the state, with Camden LGA experiencing a 45 per cent jump in cases.
“A women’s only health centre creates a safe space… 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.”
SWSPHN is responding to the crisis by commissioning family, domestic and sexual violence (FDSV) trauma-informed mental healthcare services, in particular psychological therapies, in South Western Sydney, as part of the Supporting Recovery Pilot Program. This program is a new model of trauma-informed recovery care for victim-survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence.
The pilot includes a case management and care navigation service and a psychological therapies service providing trauma-informed care to survivors. These services will work in partnership with FDSV victim-survivors, key advocates, advisory groups, and family, domestic and sexual violence service providers.
SWSPHN was also successful in tendering for a contract to develop lead-region HealthPathways for the Ministry of Health’s violence, abuse and neglect (VAN) suite of pathways. The Violence, Abuse and Neglect Evidence Strategy 2021-2025 aims to improve health service investment and health outcomes for people experiencing, or who are at risk of experiencing, violence, abuse and neglect.
SWSPHN is also part of the South Western Sydney Domestic and Family Violence Alliance and Non-Fatal Strangulation Working Party, supporting work in the region to support victims of domestic and family violence and improve the clinical response to non-fatal strangulation.
In general terms, violence against women can take physical, sexual and psychological forms, including:
- intimate partner violence (battering, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide)
- sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber- harassment)
- human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation)
- female genital mutilation
- child marriage
Find more resources about domestic violence here or visit the Health Resources Directory for information about how your GP can support you as well as make a safety plan.
Support services
Emergencies – CALL 000 IMMEDIATELY
Local police:
NSW Police have dedicated domestic violence liaison officers (DVLOs) who are specialists in dealing with domestic and family violence issues. They provide information about apprehended violence orders (AVOs), support victims through the court process and assist victims to connect to appropriate services.
DV helplines (operating 24/7)
- NSW Domestic Violence Line – 1800 656 463*
A crisis intervention service for women who experience intimate partner or ex-partner violence. The service provides crisis counselling, advocacy, and assists with referrals to crisis accommodation and women’s refuges. Male callers are also referred to appropriate services. Women experiencing violence are provided crisis counselling over the phone and/or referred directly to services for face-to-face assessment and support, using interpreter services when needed.
- 1800 Respect – 1800 737 732*
A counselling, information and referral service for people who are affected by sexual violence, and domestic or family violence.
- Domestic Violence Impact Line – 1800 943 539
A phone counselling, information and referral for women who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence. NB: the DV line is specifically designed to assist a person experiencing domestic violence by their partner or ex-partner.
- Men’s Referral Service – 1300 766 491
A phone counselling, information and referral service to help men stop using violent and controlling behaviour. They also provide support and information to women and men seeking information on behalf of their male partners, friends and family members.
- Men’s Help Line – 1300 789 978
A phone counselling support service for men with concerns about mental health, anger management, family violence (using and experiencing), addiction, relationship, stress and wellbeing.
- LGBTIQ+ Violence Service – 1800 497 212
Sexual assault help
*(Interpreters are available for these helplines. If you are hearing impaired, call the National Relay Service on 133 677)
DV Immediate Needs Support Package
- Financial assistance for relocation and establishing a new home. Phone 1800 633 063 for information
Women’s health services
Women’s health services provide counselling, information, education and medical services to women.
- Bankstown Women’s Health – 9790 1378
- Benevolent Society, The Centre for Women’s Health – 4633 3777
- Liverpool Women’s Health – 9601 7777
- WILMA Women’s Health Centre (Macarthur area) – 4627 2955
Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services
Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services (WDVCAS) assist women with any issues relating to Domestic and Family Violence. Some services include: obtaining legal protection from domestic violence, providing possible referral points, and providing information and assistance throughout the court process.
Integrated services
Integrated services provide services to women and children who are victims of domestic violence through referrals and information. They also provide case management services. The GVLDVS listed below also provide counselling services.
- Bankstown Domestic Violence Service – 9790 1380
- CORE Community Services, Domestic Violence Project, Cabramatta – 9727 0477
- Green Valley Liverpool Domestic Violence Service (GVLDVS) – 1800 111 146
Staying Home Leaving Violence Services
Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) Services provide case management services to women who wish to leave a violent relationship and stay in their own home or a home of their choice.
Specialist homelessness services
Specialist homelessness services assist individuals or families at the risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. Some of these services also have a specific focus to support those escaping domestic or family violence. These include:
- Bonnie Support Services.
Bonnie’s provides a range of services such as case management, counselling, therapeutic and creative groups, financial advice, referral, information, outreach, a drop-in support service, children’s services and health relationships training for the local community. Phone: 9729 0939
- Linking Hearts Multicultural Family Services
Linking Hearts provides safe and supported crisis and transitional accommodation for families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. It also provides safe houses for women with children who are escaping domestic and family violence, and helps them to be rapidly rehoused in private rental or social housing. Phone: 9786 4868
- Macarthur Multipurpose Women with Children Accommodation, Support and Domestic and Family Violence
This service supports women and children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including those escaping domestic and family violence. Responses include intervening early to prevent homelessness, providing safe and supported crisis and transitional accommodation, rapid re-housing, and intensive support for complex needs. Phone: 0476 531 001
Groups for men who use violence and abuse in their relationships
The following services provide information, counselling and run groups for men who use violence and abuse in their relationships. The services all run behaviour change programs, counselling and support for men as well as assisting their partners.
Community Health Centres
Community Health Centres (CHC) can provide referral and information on general health services and can be found at the following locations:
- Bankstown: 36-38 Raymond St, Bankstown – 9780 2777
- Bowral: Bendooley Pl, 20 Bendooley St, Bowral – 4861 800
- Budyari Aboriginal (Miller CHC): 18 Woodward Cres, Miller – 9607 8112
- Cabramatta: 7 Levuka St, Cabramatta – 8717 4000
- Fairfield: 53-65 Mitchell St, Carramar – 9794 1700
- Ingleburn: 59A Cumberland Rd, Ingleburn – 8788 4200
- Liverpool: Level 3 Health Services Building, cnr Campbell and Goulburn St, Liverpool – 9828 4844
- Narellan: 14 Queen St, Narellan – 4640 3500
- Prairiewood: cnr Prairievale Rd and Polding St, Prairiewood – 9616 8169
- Rosemeadow: 5 Thomas Rose Rd, Rosemeadow – 4633 4100
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