Domestic and Family Violence Support

People experiencing domestic and family violence in all of its forms can access a range of confidential supports through UHHS. These include:

Person centred support from experienced caseworkers.

Refuge accommodation and referrals to other appropriate avenues of accommodation.

Brokerage to purchase essential items to replace those left behind or to set up new living arrangements.

Safety planning.

Intake, assessment and case management.

Referrals to specialist domestic and family violence services.

Services include support and practical solutions to provide help to remove the person(s) affected by abusive behaviour and situations.

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.
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Upper Hunter Homeless staff will help with referrals, some of which are:

Legal advice / family law issues

Counselling

Financial counselling

When you are experiencing domestic violence, your children are too. There is help available for children affected by domestic and family violence.

What About the Children?

When you are experiencing domestic violence, your children are too.
 
Any person using any form of domestic violence where children are involved is making a parenting choice.
 
The choice to use violence affects the whole family function and puts pressure on the other parent’s capacity to parent. Children can build up a level of toxic stress that can lead to poor sleep patterns, nightmares, have difficulty learning, issues with emotional regulation or social and attachment dysfunctions.
 
There is help available for children affected by domestic and family violence. Please talk to your GP for a suitable referral service.
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How Do I Stay Safe?

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

Downloading the Daisy App

Daisy App

The DAISY app is a free smart phone app for people experiencing domestic violence. It provides information about domestic violence and available supports and services in NSW.
The app has the ability to create a trusted network of friends that can be easily contracted with an agreed message and a GPS system to alert the recipient of your location.
You can call 000 or the DV hotline from the app.
Learn More about Daisy App
Our services include support as well as practical solutions to provide assistance to remove the person(s) affected by abusive behaviour and situations.

Services

Our services include support as well as practical solutions to provide assistance to remove the person(s) affected by abusive behaviour and situations. To provide a safe place and ongoing help to establish emotional stability and an opportunity to start rebuilding their lives.

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

Relationships with domestic violence are often characterised by a pattern of behaviour known as the cycle of violence.
While the cycle is relevant to many violent relationships, the perpetrator of violence controls the cycle and they may skip some stages or may be violent at any stage of the cycle.

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

Relationships with domestic violence are often characterised by a pattern of behaviour known as the cycle of violence.
While the cycle is relevant to many violent relationships, the perpetrator of violence controls the cycle and they may skip some stages or may be violent at any stage of the cycle.

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.