Domestic and Family Violence Prevention
Women and children’s refuges are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Support can be given by contacting the following:
Coffs Harbour: Warrina Women’s and Children’s Refuge
Phone: 02 6652 4000
Kempsey: Samaritans Kempsey Women’s Refuge
Phone: 02 6562 8411
Port Macquarie: Liberty Domestic Violence Support Crisis Accommodation
Phone: 02 6583 2155
Concerned about the safety welfare and wellbeing of children (0-15) and/or young people (16-17) in the context of domestic and family violence?
Health Child Wellbeing Unit
Phone: 1300 480 420 (b/h)
Family and Community Services Helpline (FaCS)
Phone: 132 111 (24/7)
1800RESPECT is a confidential service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week which provides support for people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, sexual assault, domestic or family violence, their friends and family. This service also provides support to workers and professionals who are supporting someone experiencing, or at risk of experiencing sexual assault, domestic or family violence.
Phone: 1800RESPECT or 1800 737 732
NSW Domestic Violence Line provides telephone counselling, information and referrals for women and same-sex partners who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence. It can provide referral to other services including crisis or emergency accommodation, family support services, counselling, the police, courts, lawyers, hospitals, transport and other supports.
Phone: 1800 656 463
Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (WDVCAS)
Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services are locally based services for women and children seeking help and information about how to get protection from domestic violence from the court system. They can assist with applications and support around the legal protection of Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs). The services also provide case coordination and local referrals for women and children as well as advocating on systemic domestic and family violence issues.
NSW Police
NSW Police has Domestic Violence Liaison Officers (DVLOs) who are specialists in dealing with domestic and family violence issues. DVLOs provide information about the Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) process; support victims of domestic and family violence through the court process and assist victims to access other relevant local support services.
For immediate safety concerns/emergencies: 000 OR your local police station
Victims services
The Approved Counselling Service (ACS) provides free individual counselling to people who have become victims of violent crime in NSW. The ACS is available to people who are in violent relationships and people who have experienced recent or past violence. To access a list of approved counsellors in your area, go to the website and enter your postcode (or postcode range).
Phone: 1800 633 063
Email: vs@justice.nsw.gov.au
Men’s Referral Service
The Men’s Referral Service is a men’s family violence telephone counselling, information and referral service operating in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania and is the central point of contact for men taking responsibility for their violent behaviour. They also provide support and referrals for women and men seeking information on behalf of their male partners, friends or family members and workers in a range of agencies. Open 24/7 (NSW and TAS).
Phone: Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491
Link 2 HOME
If housing/accommodation is not safe and there is a risk of homelessness, Link2home can be contacted. This service is available 24/7 every day of the year, and can assist with up to two nights’ accommodation, as well as referring on to other services as needed. If additional assistance with accommodation is required after the initial two days, please contact a local FACS Housing office and request advice regarding further temporary accommodation.
Phone: Link 2 HOME 1800 152 152 (24/7)
NSW Domestic Violence Line
NSW Domestic Violence Line can also assist with crisis accommodation.
Phone: 1800 656 463
Concerned about the safety welfare and wellbeing of children (0-15) and/or young people (16-17) in the context of domestic and family violence?
Phone: Health Child Wellbeing Unit 1300 480 420 (b/h)
Phone: Family and Community Services Helpline (FaCS) 132 111 (24/7)
Use the Mandatory Reporter Guide to guide your response to these concerns.