The Department of Community and Justice has provided South East Women & Children's Services (SEWACS) with the funding to run a pilot Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) program in the Eurobodalla.
Above: If you or anyone you know needs support or information about whether you are experiencing domestic and family violence, contact SEWACS on 0487 374 621 or 0487 927 720
Staying Home Leaving Violence is a specialist domestic and family violence service covering the Bega Valley Shire to assist women and their children who have separated from a violent partner or family member.
The program aims to improve outcomes for women and children by supporting them to live in the home of their choice.
Support is needs-based and not time-limited. It may include advocacy, emotional support, safety planning, risk assessment, assistance at court, safety equipment and security upgrades. Participation is voluntary.
The safety planning app ‘Safe Around Me’ is also available free from your app store.
The Safe Around Me app provides information on recognising domestic and family violence, safety planning ideas, and a location-aware list of local services. This is a FREE app.
Download Safe Around Me from Google Play Program locations
The program helps women and their children who live across NSW including all towns and suburbs within the Bega Valley LGA and southern Eurobodalla LGA
Communities and Justice say:
Leaving a violent and abusive relationship can be hard. It may mean having to move to a new area and having to start life over with a new home, new job and new school for the kids.You may also be short on money and not in a good mental health headspace.
These are only some of the reasons why women stay in an abusive relationship. Leaving the situation can be pretty stressful and overwhelming, especially with little or no support.
The aim of the Staying Home Leaving Violence program is to prevent you and your children becoming homeless or having to move away from your support system of family and friends, and the school and community where you live.
The program works in cooperation with NSW Police to remove the perpetrator (the violent partner) from the family home so that you and your children can stay safely where you are. It provides a range of support, such as safety planning, improving home security, help in managing finances, support for children, and helping you with the complicated legal process.
The providers of the program understand that it's the violent person - your partner or ex-partner - who is responsible for their own abusive behaviour and is committing a crime by hurting you and or your children.
