Provided by Women Illawarra since 1996
The Illawarra WDVCAS is a locally based, independent service for women and their children seeking information and help about domestic and family violence and how to get protection from the court.
Resources & Information:
Contact the IWDCAS team:
Our specialist workers:
Domestic & Family Violence Specialist Workers
Our Domestic & Family Violence Specialist Workers (DFVSW) have a strong understanding of domestic and family violence, its complexities and consequences.
They have a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice response to domestic and family violence including AVO applications, criminal prosecutions and related legal matters such as family law, child protection, migration and victim’s compensation issues. Our workers can offer information, support, advocacy and referrals to women in the Illawarra who may be experiencing domestic & family abuse.
For more information call 4229 4604 or email us at Illawarra.wdvcas@womenillawarra.org.au
Disability Support
Our team can provide support, information, referrals and advocacy to women with a disability who are experiencing domestic or family abuse.
With a deep understanding of the complexities and consequences of family and domestic abuse and the particular barriers that women with a disability may face when seeking assistance, our team are committed advocates in this area.
The IWDVCAS also actively participates in community events, inter-agency collaborations and projects which promote awareness and education around issues of family and domestic abuse experienced by Women living with a disability in our community.
For more information call 4229 4604 or email Illawarra.wdvcas@womenillawarra.org.au
Aboriginal Focus Worker
Our Aboriginal Focus Worker, Felicity, has a deep understanding of the complexities and consequences of family violence and abuse and how they particularly affect Aboriginal women and their children. She is here to provide support, information, referrals and advocacy to Aboriginal Women in our community who are experiencing domestic and family abuse. Felicity also actively participates in community events, inter-agency collaborations and projects which promote awareness and education around issues of family and domestic abuse experienced by Aboriginal women and their children.
For more information call 4229 4604 or email AFW@womenillawarra.org.au
Safety Action Meeting (SAM) Coordinators
The Illawarra WDVCAS has two SAM Coordinators who cover the Wollongong Police District and Lake Illawarra Police District.
Safety Action Meetings (SAM) for each police district occur each fortnight. A SAM is a meeting of local government and non-government service providers which aims to prevent or lessen serious threats to the safety of domestic violence victims through targeted information sharing and responsive, timely and targeted actions.
For more information please call 4229 4604 or email sam.wollongong@womenillawarra.org.au or sam.lakeillawarra@womenillawarra.org.au
Multi-Cultural Support
Our team is experienced in working with women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
We can provide support, information, referrals and advocacy to women from diverse backgrounds, including women who are isolated, newly arrived and/or refugee women, and women with limited language skills.
The IWDVCAS is also available to support community events, inter-agency collaborations and projects which promote awareness and education around issues of family and domestic abuse experienced by Multi-cultural women and their children.
For more information call 4229 4604 or email Illawarra.wdvcas@womenillawarra.org.au
Information & Referral
The Illawarra WDVCAS commenced operating in 1995 and provides information, advocacy and referrals which assist women and their children who are or have been experiencing domestic and family violence.
Over the years we have developed extensive knowledge of and connection with a number of local government and non-government organisations, charities and services who can assist our clients with their legal, social and welfare needs.
Some of the areas we may be able to offer information or referrals for support are:
Accessing legal advice, financial counselling, emergency relief services, family support services, Housing andHomelessness, Isolation, termination of lease due to DV, accessing social support payments, specialised DV or Sexual Assault counselling, Temporary Visa’s, financial support, understanding the police or court system or Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders. For more information please contact us on 4229 4604 or email Illawarra.wdvcas@womenillawarra.org.au
Court Support
Apprehended Domestic Violence Order Mentions (ADVO)
The Illawarra WDVCAS offers at court support for women who require the protection of an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO). Whether Police have applied on your behalf, or it is a private application, our workers will attend ADVO List days at both Port Kembla Local Court (Wednesday) and Wollongong Local Court (Thursday) to offer support.
We are also able to support women who are defendants in ADVO’s or who have been charged with domestic violence offences under certain circumstances.
If you have an ADVO matter going to court and you would like further information or support, please contact us on 4229 4604 or email illawarrra.wdvcas@womenillawarra.org.au
Hearing Support
The Illawarra WDVCAS can offer some support to women who have matters related to domestic violence (ADVO’s or Criminal Charges) listed for hearing at the following courts: Wollongong Local Court, Port Kembla Local Court, Albion Park Local Court, Kiama Local Court.
If you require hearing support for your matter, please submit a hearing request form and one of workers will contact you to discuss your needs. Alternatively, please call 4229 4604 for further information on how we may be able to support you.
Prosecutors Clinics
Domestic Violence Prosecutor Clinics provide an opportunity for women who are the victim of a domestic violence offence or the Person in need of Protection (PINOP) in an ADVO, to prepare for an upcoming defended hearing.
The clinics are jointly run by Police Prosecutors and WDVCAS. During a clinic, prosecutors can explain court processes, for example the process of giving evidence as a witness. Women may also have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the court room and ask questions. Attendance at a clinic may help to alleviate the anxiety experienced when attending hearings and assist women to give better evidence.
To enquire about upcoming prosecutors clinics, please call us on 42294604 0r email Illawarra.wdvcas@womenillawarra.org.au
Legal Advice
Legal Aid Domestic Violence Duty Service (DVDS)
The Domestic Violence Duty Service (DVDS) consists of lawyers in private practice who have been appointed to the Legal Aid NSW Domestic Violence Panel. The Illawarra WDVCAS has DVDS practitioners who can provide legal advice and representation to WDVCAS clients at both Port Kembla Local Court and Wollongong Local Court.
Areas that advice may be given include:
Legal advice, assistance and referrals for individuals experiencing domestic and family violence (including protected persons in police-initiated AVOs) in relation to the broad range of legal problems such as family law, care and protection, housing, social security, credit/debt, immigration, victims support and criminal law. This may include:
Explaining the effect of an AVO and the court process;
Ensuring that applications and orders sought are appropriate;
Negotiating with defendants to obtain orders by consent;
Providing advice and/or negotiating arrangements in family law matters where appropriate; and
Advocating and/or making an application under section 68R of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) where appropriate;
Legal advice and representation for individuals who are seeking a private AVO (including cross applications); and
Legal advice and representation for defendants to applications for AVOs where the client is also a protected person in an associated AVO (cross application) or is considered the victim in a domestic and family violence matter.
For further information or to request a referral to our DVDS Practitioners, please call 4229 4604 or email Illawarra.wdvcas@womenillawarra.org.au
Legal Aid Domestic Violence Unit (DVU)
The Domestic Violence Unit (DVU) is a specialist domestic and family violence service at Legal Aid NSW. The DVU is made up of lawyers and social workers who work together to help clients who have experienced domestic and family violence, with their legal and social needs. They can help clients better understand their legal problems and the choices they have.
There is no cost involved with seeing one of the DVU lawyers or social workers. They are separate from other Legal Aid NSW lawyers which means they can provide assistance even if clients are in dispute with someone who is receiving help from another Legal Aid office.
For more information please call 9219 6300 or contact the Illawarra WDVCAS for a referral by emailing your details to Illawarra.wdvcas@womenillawarra.org.au
Family Advocacy Support Service
The Family Advocacy Support Service (FASS) is available to assist women who are affected by family violence and have a family law issue. Their lawyers and support workers can help you if you:
Have experienced family violence, or
Someone says you have used violence.
Other family members like grandparents can also use our services.
The Illawarra FASS office is located at the Federal Circuit Court, Level 1, 43 Burelli Street Wollongong. For more information click here (insert button to FASS page) or email us on FASS@illawarrawomen.org.au
Financial Assistance
Brokerage
Whilst the Illawarra WDVCAS is not funded for brokerage, due to the generosity of our local community we do have limited funds available to assist women who are in immediate need of help due to domestic violence. If you need assistance with groceries, transport, phone cards, clothing or other immediate personal needs, please call our office on 4229 4604.
Other financial assistance
Our specialist workers can support you with accessing or applying for the following financial assistance packages:
For more information, please call 42294604 or email us on Illawarra.wdvcas@womenillawarra.org.au
If you would like to donate to our service, please click the button below.
Protection Orders
Our specialist workers have a strong understanding of NSW Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVO’s) and offer support to clients in accessing copies of their orders, understanding the ADVO conditions, advocacy and support around reporting breaches of conditions, information on varying orders, information on property recovery orders and referrals to legal advice on parenting agreements related to ADVO’s.
If you would like to discuss your ADVO, please contact us on 42294604. Additional information can be found here.
More information about reporting can be found on the NSW Police webpage.
Safety Planning
Safety planning is thinking about things you can do to be safer when living with violence or abuse. If you feel like you are at risk of harm due to domestic and family violence, our specialist workers may be able to assist you in the safety planning process.
For more information on Risk Assessments, Personal GPS safety alarms, the Domestic Violence Electronic Monitoring Scheme or planning around how to leave a violent relationship please call us on 4229 4604.
Further information and resources on safety planning can be found via the button below.