NSW Police Force forms Domestic and Family Violence Registry

Illawarra Mercury – Natalie Croxon NSW Police Force has established a new team it says will improve the prevention and investigation of domestic and family violence across the state, but one Illawarra expert says the approach risks missing many perpetrators. The Domestic and Family Violence Registry will provide advice, guidance, and responses to domestic and […]

Domestic abuse and suicide: a hidden tragedy

Illawarra Mercury – Laura Brooks When I was 12 my grandmother suicided. Throughout my early years, when she was alive, and after she was gone, I sought to understand why she did not want to stay among the living. When I was seeking answers, I never once stopped to consider the impact the ongoing abuse […]

Illawarra Health workers welcome increased access to medical abortions

Illawarra Mercury – Kate McIlwain Medical abortions will be much easier to access for Illawarra residents from next month, as loosened restrictions allow all doctors and nurse practitioners to prescribe the two-part medication that terminates pregnancy and all pharmacies to stock it. Currently, women who want a medical, rather than surgical, abortion are directed to […]

Illawarra Women’s Health Centre to raise awareness, funds for women seeking abortion

Illawarra Mercury – Natalie Croxon As Illawarra women in need of an abortion continue to face barriers accessing the health procedure, a local organisation hopes to cut through the myths and stigma surrounding the issue while raising money to support those in need. The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre will next month host a live event […]

Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre appoints advocate Lula Dembele as director

Illawarra Mercury – Natalie Croxon When Lula Dembele was in her early 20s, she began looking for somewhere to help her address the trauma that stemmed from her childhood sexual abuse. She had also experienced domestic violence as an adult, knew there was a pattern and didn’t want that continuing throughout her life – but […]

Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre set to open this year after grant agreement signed

Illawarra Mercury – Natalie Croxon The groundbreaking Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre is set to deliver services to victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence by the end of the year. The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre and the federal government on Monday signed a grant agreement for $25 million over five years for the centre’s operational […]

Experts say secure rentals, not home ownership scheme, needed for domestic violence victim-survivors

Illawarra Mercury – Natalie Croxon Illawarra experts on domestic violence say the state government needs to focus first on providing secure, affordable rental housing for victim-survivors, rather than home ownership. The NSW government has announced it will establish a taskforce to investigate extending the Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper program to victim-survivors of domestic violence, including […]

Police and our justice system have got to pass the pub test and quickly

Illawarra Mercury – Karen Iles Reading the media coverage of the Police and Department of Prosecutions Inquiry into the handling of the trial of Bruce Lehrmann one thing jumped out at me this week. The submissions of Mark Tedeschi SC in his representation of Shane Drumgold, the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions. Tedeschi pointed out […]

Inside the Australian Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Recovery and Healing Conference

ABC Illawarra – Kelly Fuller A passionate call has gone out for a greater focus on recovery and healing as momentum grows for prevention and crisis support for victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence. More than 350 people gathered for the inaugural Australian Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Recovery and Healing Conference in Wollongong this week. […]