DOMESTIC violence happens in homes all over Australia and in all classes of society, and the Bega Valley is no exception as has been horrendously highlighted in the past week.
However what the Bega Valley has, that few other places in Australia have, is a program that provides support to women and children experiencing domestic violence to stay home safely.
The program is called: Staying Home, Leaving Violence.
The senior case manager for Staying Home, Leaving Violence, Caroline Long, said the program was piloted in the Bega Valley from 2004 and started taking clients in May, 2005.
Six months ago it was deemed such a success that it is now being rolled out across NSW with 18 other such programs starting.
Staying Home, Leaving Violence tells women that they have a right to live safely in their homes.
The program is a community co-operative project with the police, the Department of Housing, Court Assistance and other agencies involved in domestic violence issues.
Most clients are referred by the police or an agency, or they can be self-referred.
An Assessment is done to help determine the most effective measures to improve safety.
The client can then make an informed decision, with police support and advice, counselling and help from support groups.
The client and her children do not always stay in their original home.
Often if they live in an isolated area they may choose to relocate.
Staying Home, Leaving Violence is a project of South East Women and Children’s Services (SEWACS).
SEWACS operates the Bega Women’s Refuge, which offers crisis accommodation to women and children who leave their home due to domestic violence.
Women can also lodge an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) against the person who is being violent towards them.
Under new legislation these ADVOs must now list the children’s names, said the Far South Coast Family Support Service co-ordinator, Andrea Powell.
The order is then served on the perpetrator by the police.
An ADVO cannot be enforced unless it is served on the defendant, but that does not mean he is removed from the home.
The family can, under the order, live together under the condition that there will be no violence.
Ms Powell said that many women suffer years of domestic violence and tell nobody what is happening to them.
Some are too embarrassed and think that their partner will change.
Many are told that no one will believe them, that if they leave, the children will be taken from them, and that they are stupid and worthless.
These women can often take the violence against themselves, but it is when the man starts being violent to the children that they take action and get an ADVO.
Both Ms Long and Ms Powell said that it is important for neighbours, family and friends to alert the police or an agency to what they believe to be a violent partnership.
Ms Powell said that many people feel they don’t want to be involved but sometimes a call from a neighbor, a relation or friend to the police may be the catalyst needed for the victim to break free of a domestic violence situation.
Help and support is also available for the violent partners should they wish to change their behaviour.
For help, support and information people can ring Staying Home, Leaving Violence 6492 6239.