Domestic and Family Violence is never acceptable!
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic and/or family violence, please report to the Police or call one of the confidential helplines which are available for advice and assistance:
Georges River Council is committed to raising awareness and educating the community on domestic and family violence. We have hosted annual campaigns including:
- The Candlelight Vigil.
- No Domestic Violence Walk.
Domestic and Family Violence
​Violence and abuse in relationships comes in many forms. Any form of controlling or abusive behaviour used against another person in a household is considered to be domestic or family violence. Domestic violence is much more than just physical violence. It is a variety of abusive practices that fall under different categories. All types of abuse can be just as harmful as physical abuse. You do not have to be experiencing every type of abuse to be a victim of domestic violence.
It can include:
- Physical assault.
- Emotional abuse - including insulting or degrading comments.
- Sexual assault.
- Threatening to harm others.
- Coercive control - a pattern of behaviours that deny autonomy and independence.
- Financial abuse - keeping money and resources from another person.
- Social abuse – not allowing someone to see family or friends.
16 Days of Activism
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that commences on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. The 16 Days present an opportunity to focus on the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
This year the St George Domestic Violence Committee has created 16 Days' worth of information to give our community tools and resources around Domestic and Family Violence. Our aim is to break myths, and ensure our community knows where to access support services.
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>Understanding Coercive Control
Coercive Control is a "pattern of domination that includes tactics to isolate, degrade, exploit and control, frighten or hurt victims physically". The victim’s every day existence is micromanaged and their space for action is limited, eroding the victim’s sense of self, their confidence and self-esteem, agency, and autonomy.
With the support of the St George Domestic Violence Committee, we have developed the Pocket Guide to Relationships, Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control, which provides helpful information on support services available for people in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, and where to seek help if you are in a threatening situation. The guides are also available in the following languages:
SBS have also produced a number of videos in community languages to explain coercive control and family and domestic violence.
Follow My Lead reveals how violence is used to undermine, oppress and control a person’s safety and wellbeing across many aspects of their life.
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>Domestic and Family Violence: The Police Response
Domestic and Family Violence affects millions of Australians every year and police across NSW respond to hundreds of incidents of domestic and family violence every week.
Have you ever wondered what happens next, after the police are called for assistance or a person attends a police station to report domestic or family violence?
A webinar on Tuesday 5 December, 11.00am - 12.00pm, is aimed at informing the community and its service providers about the police response to domestic and family violence reports, and the court process that follows.
Specifically, it will cover:
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When to contact police, what happens when police arrive at an incident and what happens when someone attends a police station to report.
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Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders; what they are and when they are applied for.
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Mentions, Hearings, Property Recovery Orders and Applications to Vary.
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Subpoenas to give evidence, AVL and the Safe Room.
This webinar is brought to you in collaboration with St George Police Area Command, the St George Domestic Violence Committee and The Family Co.
Register for the webinar by clicking the button below.
Register for the Webinar
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>Local Resources
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing domestic or family violence, there are local services that can help!
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>Bystander Resources
Be somebody who does something
Domestic and family violence won’t go away by itself – it needs our intervention to break the cycle.
The St George Domestic Violence Committee aims to create community cultures and conditions that support and encourage active bystander behaviour, particularly in response to more subtle or accepted forms of violence, and the behaviours that contribute to violence-supportive attitudes and culture, such as sexist jokes. If you see something, say something.
The Be there app is a free app that gives you direct access to tools that empower, educate and support you to help someone who is experiencing domestic or family violence.
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>Information and Statistics
Did you know that domestic and family violence is the biggest driver of homelessness for women? Or that 27% of women experience domestic and family violence from a partner?
In 2023 there were 443 instances of domestic violence related assault in the Georges River area reported to police.
Nationally, there are a number of alarming statistics that show the prevalence of domestic and family violence. These statistics are not okay, and we must all continue the advocate for change in our community.
Census Personal Safety Survey 2021
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On average 1 woman a week and 1 man a month is killed by a current or former partner.
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1 in 4 women have experienced physical violence by a current or former partner, while for men it is 1 in 14.
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1 in 3 women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by a man they know.
ANROWS 2021 National Community Attitudes Towards Violence Against Women Survey
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2 in 5 Australians don’t know where to access domestic violence services.
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Only 47% agreed that violence against women is a problem in their suburb, but 91% agreed that violence against women is a problem in Australia.
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2 in 5 people believe that men and women are equally likely to perpetrate violence even though 77% of people who experience intimate partner violence experience it by a male perpetrator.
ANROWS Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety
Family, domestic and sexual violence in Australia: continuing the national story 2019
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>Visa Information
Everyone deserves to be safe and can access domestic violence assistance, regardless of their visa status. Visa-related abuse can include threats to have visas cancelled, or have someone deported.
If you are experiencing domestic and family violence and have questions about your visa, you can contact:
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>Resources in different languages
Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate.
Women from diverse cultures and backgrounds can face more difficulties reporting domestic and family violence or getting help. Language barriers, social isolation, pressure from extended family members and uncertain citizenship can make it difficult for them to understand their rights and access support.
Locate help resources translated in other languages.
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>Non-Fatal Strangulation
Non-fatal strangulation is a high-risk factor that can indicate severe or lethal violence by men against their female intimate partners. This resource details some related symptoms a person might experience days, weeks and months after any pressure is applied to the neck. If you experience these it is important to seek immediate medical assessment.
You can find physical copies of this resource at Georges River Council's Civic Centre, Corner MacMahon and Dora Streets, Hurstville.
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>Safety Planning
Safety planning involves ideas that will help keep you safe and how to put them in to action. Here are some things you can do now to make it safer for you and your children.
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Be aware of all exit routes and safety spots for you and your children.
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Seek support from neighbours to call the police if they hear a disturbance.
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Develop a safety plan for your children including how to call 000, how to safely exit the house and how to get help.
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Important documents/medications kept in an accessible place to take with you.
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Phone police as soon as you can.
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Seek medical support for any injuries.
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Keep a diary of violent incidents, including dates.
Further information is available in the Legal Aid publication Charmed and Dangerous.
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>Housing
If you need to escape domestic violence, but don’t have anywhere to go, there is housing support out there!
Please follow this link to read about the housing products available through DCJ Housing for those who have experienced domestic violence. You can also apply for housing assistance online.
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>Resources for Children
Georges River Libraries have easy to read books about domestic and family violence that are designed to help children.
Stop it at the Start Campaign
Stop it at the Start is an initiative of the Council of Australian Governments, and aimed at breaking the cycle of all gender-based violence. Recognising that behaviours of young people are influenced and shaped by adults, carers, and influencers around them, the campaign targets parents and family members of children between 10-17, to reflect on their attitudes and to be a positive influence.
SBS has translated information about the campaign and domestic and family violence in many community languages.
Crisis Accommodation for Women in the Georges River area
Georges River Council opened the first women’s crisis accommodation in the St George area in 2020. This new facility will provide a supportive space for women and their children affected by domestic violence and at risk of homelessness.
A short video has been produced which provides a virtual tour of the centre and highlights the support that vulnerable women and children will receive, and reiterates the message that they no longer need be exposed to coercive control or domestic and family violence.
Donation Drive
Georges River Council is calling upon the community to donate tinned, non-perishable food items, and hygiene products for the women's crisis accommodation facility in Georges River. Donations of other household items are not required at this time.
Items can be dropped off at Council's Customer Service Centre in Hurstville, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.00pm. For more information on how to donate items, please contact Council on (02) 9330 6400.
If you require immediate crisis accommodation, please call Link2Home on 1800 152 152 or the DV Line on 1800 65 64 63.
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