Staying Home Leaving Violence program comes to Wagga and Junee

The NSW Government’s Staying Home Leaving Violence services will soon be available in Wagga and Junee. Photo: iStock/Ponomariova Maria.

A program that helps victim-survivors of domestic violence to stay safely in a home of their choice is being expanded to Wagga Wagga and Junee.

The NSW Government’s Staying Home Leaving Violence program has been widened to 14 additional Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the state, including Wagga and Junee.

In the Riverina, the program is currently available in Griffith. Its aim is to prevent women and their children from becoming homeless or having to move away from their support system of family and friends, and the school and community where they live.

The program works in cooperation with NSW Police to remove the perpetrator (the violent partner) from the family home so that women and their children can stay safely where they are.

It provides a range of support, such as safety planning, improving home security, help in managing finances, help for children, and helping women with the complicated legal process.

Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the more vulnerable women across the state would receive the support they needed through the program’s expansion.

The program providers understand that it’s the violent person – a partner or ex-partner – who is responsible for their own abusive behaviour and is committing a crime by hurting women and or their children.

”The Staying Home Leaving Violence program provides support to women and children who have suffered domestic violence by allowing them to stay safely and heal in their own home while the perpetrator is removed,” Mrs Ward said.

“Earlier this year I announced phase one of the expansion, including $20 million for 28 existing Staying Home Leaving Violence service providers to extend their reach from 33 locations to 70.

“Today we’re announcing $12.5 million to deliver phases two and three, to deliver 11 new locations and trial the program in three additional locations, to help even more victim-survivors.”

Minister for Women, Regional Health and Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said being surrounded by a strong support network was vital for victim-survivors.

“But the reality is, many women and children who have suffered domestic violence often find themselves forced to flee their homes, and this means they may also lose touch with their trusted network,” Mrs Taylor said.

“This program will allow more women and children across the state to stay closer to their family, friends, school and employment, while receiving support and the services they need to remain safe while they rebuild their lives.”

Under phase three, the program is being trialled across three LGAs where demand is lower, or where there are geographical barriers to accessing mainstream services, including the Blue Mountains, Lachlan and Weddin, and Snowy Monaro Regional Council.

The trial will include combining technological solutions and outreach services to deliver safety planning and case management support.

The program has already helped more than 4500 women and children to stay safe. The expansion will help support an additional 2100 women and children statewide.

To access the service in Griffith, phone (02) 6964 3381.

For confidential advice, support and referrals, contact: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), the NSW Domestic Violence Line (1800 65 64 63), NSW Rape Crisis (1800 424 017) or Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491). In an emergency, call triple zero (000).