The centre has been at the forefront of many campaigns for issues facing women in our society and its aim is attaining an equal, safe and just world for women.
The range of services for women who have been or are still in a violent situation includes information and referral on domestic violence issues; crisis support; court assistance and advocacy for those seeking apprehended violence orders; housing information; relationships; unemployment and information and support for lesbians, and contact information about other support groups available in our community.
Its premises at 170 Corrimal Street offers safe women–only space, a group room with free usage for non – profit groups, a resource library, child care room and access to computers, a fax machine and photocopier.
Currently they are also providing a valuable support service for the Lake Illawarra Police Command where they are working closely with police particularly in the area of domestic violence.
The Centre’s workforce comprises nine women steeped in crisis counselling.
Its co–ordinator Joanne says that in the last 12 months there has been an increase in women of all ages accessing the service.
She estimates that the staff have handled up to 1300 telephone calls in the last year and assisted nearly as many in court appearances.
Joanne and her co–workers believe there has been an increase in domestic violence just as there has in reporting of such cases in the media.
They say that cultural violence is on the up, but quickly add that there are many problems in this area, for example, on our football fields.
Helping out in schools
The Centre also is involved in working with local schools, the aboriginal community and multi cultural organisations.
Joanne says most of the problems facing girls at schools centre around bullying, crude cyber messages and boys.
“We are also working at bringing younger and older people together and opening up the way for dialogue between the groups,” Joanne says.
She also says that many of today’s youth have no concept of how the older people in our community grew up, the hard times they experienced and the impact of several world wars on their lives.
“Younger people these days have greater expectations and they must have an education to go places, all of which places added pressure on them,” she says.
The Centre is funded in part by DOCS, the Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (legal aid) and the Australia Council along with some local businesses offering financial help.
Further information can be obtained by telephoning The Centre on 42 281 499.
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