Women & Children's Domestic, Family & Sexual Violence Support
Women and children experiencing domestic and family violence in all of its forms can access a range of confidential supports through UHHS. These include:
Person centred, trauma informed support from experienced and trainee caseworkers.
Identifying and applying for eligible funding and accessing agencies that can provide assistance with essential items, furnishings, and baby/children’s items.
Assessing your situation and developing safety plans with you, tailored to your circumstances, knowledge of the person, and the relationship history.
One on one or group domestic violence education and support.
Providing support for reporting to the Police if and when you are ready.
Advocacy.
Navigating support and referrals for services such as court, Centrelink, counselling, and school/daycare.
Support in booking and attending health checks.
Pathways for support related to drug and alcohol use and accessing mental health support.
Housing and accommodation support.
Please note: Clients who meet the eligibility for the Staying Home Leaving Violence Program will be appropriately referred to Carrie’s Place.
Caseworkers can work alongside other service providers to support you and your children including Family and Youth support services.
We work with trans women and individuals from lesbian same-sex relationships.
We acknowledge that men may receive support for their housing needs and offer referral pathways as both victims or the person using violence, however, we do not exclusively work with male victims to address the violence and we do not offer men's behaviour change programs.
How Can I Get Help?
Recognising you are in an abusive relationship and telling someone is the first step. Help is one phone call away.
There are many professional services who will assist you in a non-judgmental way. Upper Hunter Homeless, as your local service provider will suggest other services who might be of assistance.
Eligibility to Access Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence Caseworkers:
Our caseworkers are available to support women and their accompanying children at any stage of the relationship, whether you're contemplating leaving, in the process of leaving, or have already left.
Consent must be provided when making a referral on behalf of someone else. Individuals facing addiction may sign up or be referred to our services so long as they are able to present to appointments sober.
Note: Sexual violence refers to experiences of sexual violence within the context of a domestic violence relationship.
Legal advice / family law issues
Counselling
Financial counselling
Supporting Children
Taking the step to seek support is a powerful and positive choice to help protect and care for your children, as children experience domestic and family violence alongside you.
Children presenting with their mothers can be included in safety plans, referred to further appropriate services including GP's, and supported through partnerships with schools and other community resources. These actions help create a protective environment where children can heal and thrive.
There is help available for both mothers and children affected by domestic, family & sexual violence.
For options to report child abuse, visit DCJ's How To Report Child Abuse Guide.
To sign up as a UHHS client, click the button below:
How Do I Stay Safe?
Our service offers women and children peronsalised indiviudal saftey planning. Or, for immediate assistance with saftey planning, go to 1800RESPECT's Safety Planning Guide.
Thinking ahead and making a safety plan can help you stay safe. Safety planning is NOT about you living in fear, it is about taking proactive steps to improve your safety. You can do this by:
Asking for help
Teaching your children to call 000
Talking to your children about what they should do in an emergency
Asking neighbours to contact police if they hear a disturbance
Planning a safe room in your house that can be locked giving you time to call police
Knowing all the exit routes of the house and property
Planning for different environments, including work and social situations
Being aware of the information that you share on social media
Making a list of emergency contacts
Trusting your instincts
Daisy App
Services
Our experienced team provides case management, advocacy, and practical support to help women and children escape domestic violence, achieve safety, and rebuild their independence.
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic and family violence is abusive behaviours by one person to control and dominate another person within a close relationship. Domestic violence can take many forms and can happen to anyone in any social, cultural or age groups. Partners, wives, children, husbands, parents and same sex partners, people living with disability – domestic violence does not discriminate.
The Cycle of Violence
1. Tensions Build
The abuser creates tensions and the survivor's stress builds
4. Calm
Things seem peaceful, maybe even better than before. But often, this won't last long before the cycle starts over.
2. Incident
The abuser lashes out through physical, verbal, psychological or sexual abuse tactics to dominate the survivor.
3. Reconciliation
The abuser makes excuses or attempts to apologise for the incident. Gaslighting is common, aka, "Nothing happened".
The Cycle of Violence
1. Tensions Build
The abuser creates tensions and the survivor's stress builds
2. Incident
The abuser lashes out through physical, verbal, psychological or sexual abuse tactics to dominate the survivor.
3. Reconciliation
The abuser makes excuses or attempts to apologise for the incident. Gaslighting is common, aka, "Nothing happened".
4. Calm
Things seem peaceful, maybe even better than before. But often, this won't last long before the cycle starts over.
Types of Domestic Violence
Coercive control
This can be the most powerful form of control. Fear is created through any behaviour which is used to intimidate you and take away your power.
Physical abuse
This is any physical harm to you, your children, your property, family, friends and pets. It may also involve the threat of weapons.
Intimidation
Includes breaking possessions, intimidating body language, hostile and aggressive questioning, stalking or threats of harm.
Sexual abuse
Includes any unwanted sexual interaction such as forced sexual acts and harassment.
Verbal abuse
Includes constant put downs, insults and verbal threats. Verbal abuse is humiliating and can destroy your self-esteem and self-belief.
Emotional and Pyschological abuse
Any behaviour, actions and comments that undermine your sense of self and destroy your confidence and self-worth.
Spiritual abuse
This includes ridiculing your spiritual beliefs and/or excluding you from participating in culture or spiritual activities.
Financial abuse
This occurs when the abuser takes control over your financial resources, including not allowing you to work or controlling the money you earn and spend.
Social abuse and humiliation, also known as gaslighting
This occurs when the abuser criticises, jokes about or puts you down in front of family, friends, work colleagues and/or controls who you see and where you go. This includes not allowing you to see certain people.
Cyber bulling and cyber harassment
This is the use of any digital technology to harass, humiliate, threaten or intimidate you. This can be done through mediums such as Facebook, Twitter, email chat rooms and mobile phones.
Danger – you need to take action
Physical harm – strangulation
Strangulation is the key “warning shot” of domestic violence before death. Strangulation or pressure applied to the neck can cause significant long term injuries, such as strokes or subtle brain damage, which may not be evident until after the event.It is essential that you seek immediate medical attention if you or someone you know has had pressure applied to your next and are experiencing any symptoms as a result.