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practical info
what help can you get?
Will the police protect you? What
will happen to your partner?
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In
NSW if a person is violent towards their partner, they can be
removed from the family home. Police called to a domestic
violence incident can remove the violent partner, or you can ask
the Court for an order that the violent partner is removed.
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An
Apprehended Domestic Violence Order can prohibit access by the violent
partner to the home. If this is breached, tell the police
because it can be a serious offence.
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You
can get a crisis payment from Centrelink if you are experiencing
domestic violence and want to stay in your home but need money.
You have to be eligible for Centrelink payments to receive this.
Talk to Centrelink.
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You
can get counselling from a Victims of Crime Counsellor and even
financial compensation.
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The
violent partner can get crisis accommodation called temporary
accommodation from the Department of Housing, financial
assistance from Centrelink if they are eligible, and counselling
support from Family Support or Mensline.
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We
can provide improved security such as an alarm phone to make the
family home safer.
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It
helps if you develop a SAFETY PLAN for yourself and your
children (and pets). You can talk to a counsellor about this.
safety
plans
Click here to
download a booklet on planning for your safety.
You can download and print an
order form if
you would like to buy printed copies of the safety booklet. Post your
order and cheque to :
SEWACS Inc.
Bega
Staying Home Leaving Violence Project
PO Box 70 Bega NSW 2550
risk
assessment
The point
of risk assessment is for you to think about your own safety. It’s a
case by case situation. Each person and family is different. No one
knows your circumstances better than yourself. The most common
indicator that someone will be violent is that they have been
violent before. But the assessment is not about the violent person,
it’s about do you feel safe? You have to make a considered
choice about the situation. This is a process you should do with
someone else, preferably someone skilled.
This is
not a risk assessment, but here are some things to consider:
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Does
your ex/partner have a history of violence?
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Does
he have any respect for the law?
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Does
he have access to weapons?
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Do
you have good support network that will stick by you?
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Do
you feel confident in your local police?
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Do
you feel attached to your home and want to stay there?
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What
do your children feel about the situation?
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Think about your future: can you afford to stay?
apprehended
violence orders
Click here to download a booklet on domestic apprehended violence orders
links
www.domesticviolence.nsw.gov.au
~ for state
wide SHLV information and location sites
www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au
~ for advice about the law
www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/vs
~ for victim compensation information
www.austdvclearinghouse.unsw.edu.au
~ for research into staying home safely
links
to the other pilots
vocc@act.gov.au
~ ACT Office of the Victims of Crime Coordinator, for information
about the ACT Family Violence Intervention Program).
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