DVassist

DVassist Phone and web chat counselling and support services for anyone experiencing family or domestic violence in regional WA

DVassist is a unique and innovative organisation that addresses the complex issue of abusive relationships in regional, rural and remote areas of Western Australia. Having commenced in 2017, we cover 58 regional, rural and remote areas of WA covering the East and West Kimberly, Pilbara, Wheatbelt, Goldfields-Esperance, Great Southern, Geraldton and some parts of the South West. Please by aware tha

t our social media is not monitored. If you're concerned for your safety or that of someone else, contact the police on statewide number 131 444 or call 000. The material on this page is for information purposes only, it should not be used as a substitute for talking to a health professional or counsellor. Every effort will be made to ensure that information provided is accurate and up to date, however, visitors to this page should carefully consider the accuracy and suitability for their own purposes and should seek professional advice relevant to their own personal circumstances. This page and our website contain the information and linked to a variety of external websites. DVassist takes no responsibility for the content on these external sources. USER DISCLAIMER

At DVassist, we are committed to making our social media platforms safe places. So, although we encourage sharing, debating and discussion here, we will not tolerate offensive, irrelevant, abusive or triggering comments. We retain the right to decide which comments will be approved and remove or edit comments we feel are consistent with the above behaviour. We also retain the right to block a user who acts in such behaviour. For yours and others safety, we will not publish comments that share urgent, identifying or distressing information. If you need help or if you have experienced violence or sexual assault and require immediate or ongoing support, please call 1800 080 083 to talk to a counsellor. If you are concerned for your safety or that of someone else, contact the police on statewide number 131 444 or call 000.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The DVassist counselling service is closed from Wednesday the 25th of December, and will reopen Monday...
25/12/2024

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The DVassist counselling service is closed from Wednesday the 25th of December, and will reopen Monday the 6th of January 2025 at 8am.

For 24-hour support you can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
If you're not able to call, you can also contact them by SMS or online at 1800respect.org.au

The Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline can be contacted on 1800 007 339.
They provide support (including information, advice and referrals) for women who are experiencing family and domestic violence in Western Australia.

The Men’s Domestic Violence Helpline can be contacted on 1800 000 599.
They provide information and support for men who have experienced family and domestic violence. The service also provides information and referrals for men who are concerned about their abusive behaviours.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 000.

For people impacted by family and domestic violence, the holiday period can be a time of increased isolation, fear, and ...
24/12/2024

For people impacted by family and domestic violence, the holiday period can be a time of increased isolation, fear, and risk.

For 24-hour support you can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
If you're not able to call, you can also contact them by SMS or online at 1800respect.org.au

The Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline can be contacted on 1800 007 339.
They provide support (including information, advice and referrals) for women who are experiencing family and domestic violence in Western Australia.

The Men’s Domestic Violence Helpline on 1800 000 599.
They provide information and support for men who have experienced family and domestic violence. The service also provides information and referrals for men who are concerned about their abusive behaviours.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 000.

Who's cooking Christmas lunch this year? Even though traditional gender roles are changing and attitudes to family roles...
19/12/2024

Who's cooking Christmas lunch this year? Even though traditional gender roles are changing and attitudes to family roles are becoming more progressive, these aren’t being translated in the home. This festive season it will still be the women who do most of the food purchasing and the cooking on the day (unless it’s a BBQ, which men usually do with women doing the salads and other accompaniments). Who is cooking in your household this Christmas? We’d love to know. Please share!

Earlier this week DVassist delivered family and domestic violence training for the staff at Tuart House, in Busselton. T...
19/12/2024

Earlier this week DVassist delivered family and domestic violence training for the staff at Tuart House, in Busselton. Thank you for all of your in-depth contributions to the sessions and meaningful conversations held. We covered risk assessment, risk management and safety planning for those experiencing FDV, along with diving into a deeper understanding of what constitutes coercive control and how to respond appropriately. We also discussed how trauma affects the brain and how to apply trauma informed de-escalation techniques in a safe manner. A big shout out to Jenna at Tuart House for organising the training and the lunch.

FDV training workshops are a great way to encourage team building and working together to strengthen workplace structures and procedures. If you would like FDV training in your workplace in 2025, please contact DVassist for further information.

The 16 days in WA – marking 16 days of activism from 25 November to December 10 (Human Rights Day) has been an enormous ...
18/12/2024

The 16 days in WA – marking 16 days of activism from 25 November to December 10 (Human Rights Day) has been an enormous effort by everyone in communities across WA. DVassist has actively participated in raising awareness of and preventing violence against women through messaging, workshops, training, awareness raising and attending stakeholder engagements across WA. We are proud to “play our part” and encourage others to continue to do so in the fight against violence in all its forms. It takes everyone – eventually, we hope to see a broader societal shift toward gender equality, resulting in the elimination of violence against women and their children. We encourage you to continue to “Play your part” and keep the momentum of change going!

The 16 Days in WA was a very busy period in Port Hedland, with multiple events being organised by the Hedland Family Vio...
15/12/2024

The 16 Days in WA was a very busy period in Port Hedland, with multiple events being organised by the Hedland Family Violence Action Group. DVassist was involved in several events and travelled on two occasions to participate in the South Hedland shopping center pop-up and the round table event organised on Tuesday. So great to see everyone’s passion and commitment to reduce violence in the community. Thank you everyone for the warm welcome, hospitality and collaboration.

DVassist spent this week in Kalgoorlie meeting stakeholders and working collaboratively to deliver a primary prevention ...
13/12/2024

DVassist spent this week in Kalgoorlie meeting stakeholders and working collaboratively to deliver a primary prevention ideas workshop and facilitate short workshops as part of the “Expanding on the Possible: Support Worker Forum 2024. Many thanks to everyone who joined us at these workshops and a special thank you for the certificate and chocolates we received. What a treat🤩! If you need training support and live in regional, rural or remote WA, please let us know at DVassist. We are happy to assist you in any way we can. We create professional development opportunities for country people by country people. You can contact Ella at [email protected]

DVassist spent last week in Carnarvon delivering a variety of specialist family and domestic violence (FDV) workshops to...
12/12/2024

DVassist spent last week in Carnarvon delivering a variety of specialist family and domestic violence (FDV) workshops to frontline and specialist staff. We covered the basic dynamics of FDV, sought to understand women’s help-seeking for FDV, learned more about risk assessment, risk management and safety planning, and delved into understanding coercive control more and its insidious impacts. We also delivered three workshops that helped participants understand trauma and trauma-informed responses, de-escalation techniques and, most importantly, talked about vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and burnout. We must always talk about self-care and support those working on the frontline to maintain their mental health and well-being. A big thank you to Julee from Carnarvon Family Support Services, our community partner. She did a great job organising attendees, provided a venue for us along with delicious morning teas and lunches! Participants shared the incredible value of face-to-face training, interacting with others, and learning together by sharing experiences and stories. They went away extremely eager to put knowledge and skills into practice in their various roles that support those experiencing FDV in Carnarvon. Thank you for all that you do in your community!

Every person’s story is unique, and I am dedicated to creating a safe space where clients feel heard, valued and empower...
10/12/2024

Every person’s story is unique, and I am dedicated to creating a safe space where clients feel heard, valued and empowered to rebuild their lives. It is an honour to walk alongside them in their healing journey.

Family and domestic violence (FDV) can have lifelong impacts. Recovery from FDV is an ongoing process which includes sho...
09/12/2024

Family and domestic violence (FDV) can have lifelong impacts. Recovery from FDV is an ongoing process which includes short-term and long-term goals. Timely support for clients who have experienced violence enables them to create safety for themselves and their children and to begin to rebuild their sense of self. #

There is just two days left of 16 Days in WA! The 2024 campaign theme is Stopping Family and Domestic Violence: Play You...
09/12/2024

There is just two days left of 16 Days in WA! The 2024 campaign theme is Stopping Family and Domestic Violence: Play Your Part.

Today we’re reinforcing the message that we all have a responsibility to stop family and domestic violence. Communities across regional, rural and remote Western Australia host a variety of community events, trainings, and workshops to show support for the 16 Days in WA campaign.

To find an event near you, you can go to https://loom.ly/S-nKfEc

Some ways you can take part in the campaign including:
- Sharing messages on social media
- Taking the time to learn more about how to recognise family and domestic violence
- Researching support available in your local community

Let’s all make a commitment to help keep your family and community safe.

A reminder to people living in the Goldfields region!!! DVassist is back in Kalgoorlie this week, delivering some worksh...
09/12/2024

A reminder to people living in the Goldfields region!!! DVassist is back in Kalgoorlie this week, delivering some workshops as part of the 16 days in WA and the Extending on the Possible: Support Worker Forum 2024. Our first workshop is on Tuesday, 10th December - this is an exciting and hands-on ideas workshop where people can learn more about primary prevention and come up with some solution-focused projects or initiatives for their community. A FREE lunch is provided for this workshop from 12-1 pm. We encourage all participants to wear orange as this is Human Rights Day and the last of the 16 days in WA. Get your name in if you haven’t already – don’t miss this great opportunity to take action to prevent family and domestic violence.

06/12/2024

Developing ideas and solutions to prevent violence before it starts will be the focus of special workshops in Kalgoorlie-Boulder next week.

Yesterday morning, DVassist attended the Morning Reception for 16 Days in WA hosted by His Excellency the Honourable Chr...
06/12/2024

Yesterday morning, DVassist attended the Morning Reception for 16 Days in WA hosted by His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia, and Mrs Darrilyn Dawson at the Government House. It was great to meet everyone, including Sabine Winton MLA, Sue Ellery MLC and many sector colleagues, frontline responders and volunteers. We thank Tinashe La for sharing her lived experience of FDV and powerful story of overcoming adversity and thriving.

Family and Domestic Violence can be hard to understand and define. At times, people may identify a friend or family memb...
04/12/2024

Family and Domestic Violence can be hard to understand and define. At times, people may identify a friend or family member (or themselves) are experiencing abuse, however, are unsure on how to support them. As a part of the 16 days in WA campaign, DVassist ran a community workshop to help participants understand domestic violence and how to help a friend, family member or co-worker, who they suspect may be experiencing violence. We also to completed workshops with frontline workers across the sector in Albany which brought fruitful conversation on how to assess and manage risk with clients, and how to effectively conduct safety plans. The FDV workshops finished with understanding vicarious trauma and sustainable ways to maintain self-care while working in high-risk roles. A big Thank you to Anglicare WA Albany, who helped to organise the events and kindly provided office space for the training. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. Thank you Albany, we are looking forward to future training and community engagement.

Do you live in the Goldfields? Interested in primary prevention of violence against women work? Here's your chance to le...
04/12/2024

Do you live in the Goldfields? Interested in primary prevention of violence against women work? Here's your chance to learn from other examples and brainstorm collectively to see what can be done in your community. Primary prevention needs to occur across all sectors and settings, so book a ticket. We look forward to seeing you there! FREE and it includes lunch. Book now to secure your place https://events.humanitix.com/primary-prevention-ideas-workshop?hxchl=hex-qrc&hxref=evt

This morning, DVassist attended the 16 Days in WA breakfast hosted by 7west and the State Government. After presentation...
02/12/2024

This morning, DVassist attended the 16 Days in WA breakfast hosted by 7west and the State Government. After presentations from Hon Roger Cook MLA and Hon Sabine Winton MLA, the audience was privileged to hear Roia Atmar’s brave experience of surviving domestic violence. Roia’s story reiterated the importance of professionals asking the right questions when suspecting family and domestic violence, and believing in victim-survivors. In Roia’s words, ‘somebody played their part’, and it saved her and her children’s lives.

Have you seen our recent posts that focus on gender roles? What’s this all about? We know from the evidence that gender ...
02/12/2024

Have you seen our recent posts that focus on gender roles? What’s this all about? We know from the evidence that gender inequality produces the conditions for violence against women to happen. Four drivers are linked to gender inequality. These are 1) condoning of violence against women, 2) men’s control of decision-making and limits to women’s independence in public and private life, 3) rigid gender stereotyping and dominant forms of masculinity, and 4) male peer relations and culture of masculinity that emphasise aggression, dominance and control. DVassist is highlighting and raising awareness of number 3) – rigid gender stereotyping – around those rigid or restrictive gender stereotypes in family and work roles. Our campaign, “Let’s talk gender roles”, encourages people to challenge these attitudes and behaviours and work towards gender equitable solutions. During the 16 days in WA, why not share these posts across your networks to increase people’s awareness and knowledge of gender-equitable family and work roles? You can find the posts on our social media that share the . Further information on the drivers of violence against women can be found at https://www.ourwatch.org.au/link-between-gender-inequality-and-violence

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Perth, WA
6000

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Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm

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