What’s involved?
*Volunteer*
Volunteering is a great way to have a positive affect on the lives of those experiencing abuse, children who are witnessing or experiencing it or abusers. They all need help and different organisations and groups out there can help you get involved in different ways. You can do anything from volunteering at a women’s shelter to doing bi-monthly phone counselling.
If you want to take action but have limited time or resources, one of the best ways to get involved is through an organisation or group. They’ll already have roots in the community and experience which you can benefit from. There is a list of organisations, their websites and their volunteer opportunities below.
*Donate*
There are plenty of organisations working towards providing a better life and support for those affected by domestic assault that accept donations of money and/or goods. Some of them are listed below.
*Raise awareness*
Combating the common stereotype that surrounds domestic assault is a valuable action. By challenging such ideas as domestic violence only happens to under-privileged women, male victims are just ‘weak’, that a bit of slapping is ‘O.K.’ or that financial abuse ‘doesn’t count,’ you can help change the level of social acceptability. By sending out the message that domestic assault in all forms is unacceptable, you can help change the level of tolerance your community may have to it.
*Talk, write, shoot*
Talk to your friends, family, school, classmates and colleagues - both individually, in a group or as a crowd. Write a letter to your paper or a magazine. Express your beliefs artistically by shooting a short film.
*Change the system*
One area that you might be interested in getting involved is lobbying to have tougher penalties enforced on abusers. You may want to do this by writing a letter to your local member.
Another issue you may want to address is how the government can have an effect on financial abuse. Some people claim their spouses as a dependent on their income tax, implying that their wealth is shared with their partner. Lobbying for a change in the taxation system could mean that people would have to prove that their income really is shared - for example by putting a portion of their income into their spouse's separate bank account. You may want to contact your local member about this.
You may want to improve the services available to victims by encouraging them to have ramp access for disabled people, and better facilities for the deaf, dumb and blind.
*Organisations*
_National_
*Kids Helpline
Kids Helpine is a service for under 18s and offers counselling via telephone or web. Although all counsellors are paid employees and not volunteers, you can still get involved by donating or supporting an event. Check them out at http://www.kidshelp.com.au.
*Lifeline
Lifeline offers you the opportunity to become a volunteer counsellor. Training is provided at a small cost if you commit to a certain level of volunteer time. Check them out at http://www.lifeline.org.au.
*Salvation Army
Amongst their many services, the Salvos provide refuges for women and children. Many of these refuges are willing to assist women with additional difficulties such as drug addiction or psychiatric disability. They also offer employment help, financial counselling, telephone counselling and professional counselling. You can volunteer as a telephone counsellor (this service provides support for more than just domestic assault issues), donate, volunteer at a store, get involved in the Red Shield and Christmas appeal, donate material goods or become a member of the Red Shield Club. Check them out at http://www.salvos.org.au.
*St Vincent de Paul
Amongst their range of services, they offer women’s and family refuges. You can contribute through one of their volunteer opportunities, or donate money or material goods. Check them out at http://www.vinnies.org.au.
_Victoria_
*No To Violence
No To Violence focuses on men wanting to overcome domestic assault issues. You can become a member and donate to the service. Check them out at http://www.ntv.net.au.
*Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre
This service provides information, info on support services, training for professionals and runs awareness campaigns. You can support them by subscribing to their newsletter, supporting a campaign or getting involved in training. Check them out at http://www.vicnet.net.au/~dvirc/.
*Women’s Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE)
WIRE is a general women’s referral, information and support service offering phone and face-to-face advice on life choices and basic human rights issues. They offer contributions through membership, donations and volunteer opportunities. These can include working at the centre, administration, conducting surveys or becoming a phone worker. Check them out at http://www.wire.org.au.
_NSW_
*Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association
They offer counselling and other direct services to immigrant and refugee women in the areas of domestic assault and employment. They also provide bilingual workers to aid the process. You can contribute through membership. Check them out at http://www.speakout.org.au.
_ACT_
*Domestic Violence Crisis Service
The DVCS focuses particularly on the experiences of children in domestic violence situations. They have a feminist perspective underpinning their services, and provide advocacy, counselling and referral. Contact them on 6247 0893 or http://www.dvcs.org.au.
_Northern Territory_
*Darwin Community Legal Service
These guys focus on providing legal aid. You can contribute through legal aid, or take up one of their volunteer opportunities. Check them out at http://www.dcls.org.au.
_Queensland_
*Brisbane Rape and Incest Support Centre
These guys focus on support for rape victims and accept donations of money. Check them out at http://www.brissc.com.au.
*Immigrant Women’s Support Service
You can support these guys by becoming a member or supporting an event. Check them out at http://www.iwss.org.au.
_South Australia_
*Yarrow Place
This is an initiative of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. These guys have a range of volunteer opportunities on a broad level within the hospital, but also offer opportunities to help them fundraise. Check them out at http://www.wch.sa.gov.au.
*Women’s Information Service of South Australia
These guys offer volunteer opportunities. Check them out at http://www.wis.sa.gov.au.
_Western Australia_
*Women’s Refuge Group
These guys provide phone support and referral to safe accommodation. You can support them by becoming a member. Check them out at: http://home.space.net.au/%7Ewrgofwa/
*Are you worried about someone?*
Check this out: http://dvirc.org.au/whenlove/friends.htm.
*Organisations to get personal help*
(Taken from ReachOut website)
_Confidential Helpline_
1800 200 526
*State and Territory Crisis and Service Numbers*
_ACT_
Domestic Violence 6280 0900
Sexual Assault 6247 2525
Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
Mensline Australia 1300 78 99 78
_NSW_
Domestic Violence (DoCS) 1800 656 463
Sexual Assault (Syd) 9819 6565
Sexual Assault (Rural) 1800 424 017
Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
Mensline Australia 1300 78 99 78
_Northern Territory_
Domestic Violence 1800 019 116
Sexual Assault (Darwin) 8922 7156
Sexual Assault (Alice Springs)8951 5880
Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
Mensline Australia 1300 78 99 78
_Queensland_
Domestic Violence 1800 811 811
Sexual Assault 1800 010 120
Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
Mensline Australia 1300 78 99 78
_South Australia_
Domestic Violence 1800 800 098
Sexual Assault 1800 817 421
Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
Mensline Australia 1300 78 99 78
_Tasmania_
Domestic Violence 1800 633 937
Sexual Assault (Southern) 6231 1811
Sexual Assault (Northern) 6334 2740
Sexual Assault (Nth West) 6431 9711
Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
Mensline Australia 1300 78 99 78
_Victoria_
Domestic Violence (Melb) 9373 0123
Domestic Violence (Rural) 1800 015 188
Sexual Assault 1800 806 292
Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
Mensline Australia 1300 78 99 78
_Western Australia_
Domestic Violence 1800 007 339
Sexual Assault 1800 199 888
Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
Mensline Australia 1300 78 99 78
I want to do this!
