Centre needs help to support women experiencing domestic violence

The service offers therapeutic and educational workshops and case management from a secure site.

Since it was established in February this year, it has helped women get back on track with their lives.

But in a region that has the fifth highest rate of domestic violence in NSW, staff say more needs to be done.

The call for financial support coincides with White Ribbon Day (Wednesday, November 25) — an annual event to prevent domestic violence and teach males to be respectful to women.

Moving Forward manager Jan Christie said while the service celebrated many achievements, it had been a hard year.

"We were holding on by our fingernails with the news of 23 specialist women's services closing, and because there is a great need for our service in this area, we are finding it difficult to keep up with the demand for support," she said.

Most referrals come from family and child agencies, and specialist homelessness agencies.

Australian-born women, followed by those from Lebanese and Maori backgrounds, were among the highest referrals.

"We've had some really good outcomes because we have good referral partners, but we hope to get some financial support during the Christmas and holiday period," Ms Christie said.

"What we also really need is to have more staff (case workers) who can sit down and do safety plans, to help women either stay safely in relationships or give them assistance to leave."

The service has also helped women to pursue education and training through TAFE NSW and higher tertiary education or employment.

But Ms Christie said there was a huge gap in providing early intervention and prevention support to children.

She said existing programs, including Building Resilience and Circle of Security were worthy, but there were waiting lists.

"We have helped about 200 clients since February — but many are children, who we were unable to help," she said.

"It's traumatic for children to hear the way their mother is spoken to when she is disempowered and a lot of men will not allow their children to get help or support.

"We want to have another program, such as art therapy, that works with much younger children, from the age of two, to help them recover.

"For children experiencing trauma it can impact on their ability to learn, communicate, self-regulate and grow into confident social adults.

"This will be our main focus for next year."

ONE WOMAN'S STORY:

MOVING Forward is a specialist case management service for women who are experiencing or escaping domestic violence.

Details: movingforward.org.au