DV West provides supported crisis accommodation, transitional housing and outreach support for women and children in the Nepean, Blue Mountains and Blacktown/Hills districts. DV West contracts Link Wentworth’s Nurreen Service to provide specialist support to women and children experiencing or escaping domestic violence in the Hawkesbury district. An After Hours service (DVRE) is provided by DV West in the Nepean, Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury districts.

Domestic Violence support for Aboriginal women and children

Experienced Aboriginal staff are employed to provide sensitive and culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal women and children for all our services. DV West has a refuge that is for Aboriginal women and children, called Wirrawee Gunya. The service is staffed by skilled Aboriginal women.

At DV West culturally sensitive support for Aboriginal women and children is not limited to Wirrawee Gunya but reaches across the whole service. DV West is committed to having a RAP and providing a culturally safe and supportive workplace and services and to work to address the ongoing injustices that continue to occur today and advocate for solutions and change.

Support for Aboriginal women and children

Whichever DV West service you access; we can help you with a wide range of supports and services including:

  • DV counselling
  • Legal assistance
  • Safety planning
  • Accompaniment to court and other appointments
  • Help filling in forms and paperwork
  • Arranging interpreter services
  • Security upgrades to remain in your home
  • Help with tenancy issues
  • Support with parenting
  • Australian residency issues after leaving a violent relationship
  • Advocacy and referral to other agencies like HousingNSW, Centrelink, Police, Child Protection, Health services, counselling, agencies that provide material support
Holistic Services

Accommodation

We manage 4 refuges, which offer warm, safe and welcoming accommodation for women with or without children who need immediate and safe accommodation. One of these refuges is specifically for Aboriginal women and children and one is specifically for single women. Some of our accommodation is modified to accommodate women or children with disabilities.

We recognise that pets can also be at risk of harm when there is domestic violence, and therefore we have one refuge that can accommodate your pet with you, this is based on availability and assessment. We can also advocate for and support women to access alternate pet accommodation through external services. This means that women do not have to leave their pets behind when they are fleeing a violent relationship.

We partner with community housing organisations to provide transitional housing for women and children who are no longer in crisis but have ongoing support needs. We currently have 26 properties that clients can stay in for up to 12 months. During this time, we work with women to secure long-term safe housing.

DV After Hours (Nepean, Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury districts)

Through the After Hours service (DVRE) we support women who are residing in Housing NSW’s Temporary Accommodation program. The program can also be accessed by women who cannot access DV West’s support services during business hours because of their daytime work commitments.

Community Outreach

Our Community Outreach Services support women who choose to remain in their own homes or when no crisis accommodation is available. We will meet women in the community or talk on the phone/WhatsApp or video.

Groups

We offer group programs, which assist women in exploring ways to move forward with confidence, knowledge and empowerment after they have left a violent relationship.

Safety Plans

Safety planning helps whether you still are living in domestic violence or have left domestic violence.
Resource

For Organisations

If you work for an organisation and are looking to refer a client, please contact us by phone or email.