03 5277 0044 admin@wathaurong.org.au

family violence

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Every human being has a right to be safe and live the life they choose, but for many people, this right has been taken from them by family violence.

As at 2017, Aboriginal women are 35 times more likely to be admitted to hospital due to domestic violence than non-Aboriginal women and are similarly over-represented in deaths caused by family violence. This is caused by a complex array of factors, including the ongoing legacy of colonisation, intergenerational trauma, alcohol and other drugs, and poverty. 

We offer services to support families experiencing family violence, and we provide this support with an understanding of cultural needs. For example, families who have suffered under Stolen Generation actions often have parenting styles that are not accepted in the mainstream. Also, Aboriginal women often don't report violence, sometimes fearing negative repercussions from police, a loss of privacy in small communities and the death of men in custody. 
Our services understand these issues and offer appropriate support in relation to safety, housing, trauma, health, child development, social inclusion and anything else needed.

Police intervention

When an Aboriginal person experiences family violence that results in police intervention, we are often notified by the police. We then offer support to help that person and if they choose to work with us we help them to decide what is best for them and their family.

At risk of homelessness

Homelessness is often a significant factor in family violence situations, either the fear of becoming homeless when leaving the situation, or becoming homeless due to incidents that affect tenancy. We work with families to make decisions that will improve their circumstances and stabilise their accommodation and other issues.