Managing family stress during social distancing and quarantine

As people spend more time at home due to COVID-19, experts have confirmed this is putting a strain on families trying to work and live together.

Approximately one in four Australian women have experienced violence by an intimate partner. The World Health Organisation also notes that gender-based violence such as domestic violence tends to increase during humanitarian emergencies.

Please remember that:

• It is everybody’s right to feel safe and be treated with respect and love in a relationship. No one should live in fear.
• In any abusive relationship, the responsibility for the abuse is always with the abuser. No one else can control or change that behaviour. 

Attorney General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Mark Speakman, said people can be confident that support services and the NSW Police Force are prepared and ready to respond if they need help.

The Chief Magistrate has made recent arrangements to the management of domestic and personal proceedings during the outbreak regarding Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs).  To view, click here.

If you witness domestic violence, call the police – the information you provide might just save someone’s life. 

Below are some 24-hour contact numbers that can assist you if you need support. Call the police on triple-zero (000) if you are in immediate danger.

• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 – Telephone and online counselling and crisis intervention for anyone who has experienced (or is at risk of) sexual assault, domestic violence or family violence
• NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 65 64 63 – Referrals for women to all domestic violence refuges in NSW.
• Lifeline: 131 114 – Telephone counselling and referral service.

The Western Sydney Local Health District counselling service is also available during business hours only on 8890 7940.

The service provides advocacy, information and referrals to other services, access to a forensic medical service (for documentation of your injuries for Police and Court) and ongoing counselling.