Coercive Control is a "pattern of domination that includes tactics to isolate, degrade, exploit and control, frighten or hurt victims physically". The victim’s every day existence is micromanaged and their space for action is limited, eroding the victim’s sense of self, their confidence and self-esteem, agency, and autonomy.

With the support of the St George Domestic Violence Committee, we have developed the Pocket Guide to Relationships, Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control, which provides helpful information on support services available for people in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, and where to seek help if you are in a threatening situation. The guides are also available in the following languages:

• Arabic.

• Bangla.

• Chinese.

• Nepali.

• Thai.

SBS have also produced a number of videos in community languages to explain coercive control and family and domestic violence. 

Follow My Lead reveals how violence is used to undermine, oppress and control a person’s safety and wellbeing across many aspects of their life.

Domestic and Family Violence affects millions of Australians every year and police across NSW respond to hundreds of incidents of domestic and family violence every week.

Have you ever wondered what happens next, after the police are called for assistance or a person attends a police station to report domestic or family violence?

A webinar on Tuesday 5 December, 11.00am - 12.00pm, is aimed at informing the community and its service providers about the police response to domestic and family violence reports, and the court process that follows.
Specifically, it will cover:

• When to contact police, what happens when police arrive at an incident and what happens when someone attends a police station to report.

• Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders; what they are and when they are applied for.

• Mentions, Hearings, Property Recovery Orders and Applications to Vary.

• Subpoenas to give evidence, AVL and the Safe Room.

This webinar is brought to you in collaboration with St George Police Area Command, the St George Domestic Violence Committee and The Family Co.

Register for the webinar by clicking the button below.

Register for the Webinar 

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing domestic or family violence, there are local services that can help! 

• The community support services directory provides information about many services and organisations, including organisations that support those experiencing domestic violence. 

• The St George and Sutherland Homeless Help page provides information on a number of support services. 

• Ask Izzy is a searchable database of support services that can be tailored to your needs. 

Be somebody who does something  

Domestic and family violence won’t go away by itself – it needs our intervention to break the cycle.  

The St George Domestic Violence Committee aims to create community cultures and conditions that support and encourage active bystander behaviour, particularly in response to more subtle or accepted forms of violence, and the behaviours that contribute to violence-supportive attitudes and culture, such as sexist jokes. If you see something, say something.  

The Be there app is a free app that gives you direct access to tools that empower, educate and support you to help someone who is experiencing domestic or family violence.

Did you know that domestic and family violence is the biggest driver of homelessness for women? Or that 27% of women experience domestic and family violence from a partner?

In 2023 there were 443 instances of domestic violence related assault in the Georges River area reported to police. 

Nationally, there are a number of alarming statistics that show the prevalence of domestic and family violence. These statistics are not okay, and we must all continue the advocate for change in our community.

Census Personal Safety Survey 2021

• On average 1 woman a week and 1 man a month is killed by a current or former partner.

• 1 in 4 women have experienced physical violence by a current or former partner, while for men it is 1 in 14.

• 1 in 3 women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by a man they know.

ANROWS 2021 National Community Attitudes Towards Violence Against Women Survey

• 2 in 5 Australians don’t know where to access domestic violence services.

• Only 47% agreed that violence against women is a problem in their suburb, but 91% agreed that violence against women is a problem in Australia.

• 2 in 5 people believe that men and women are equally likely to perpetrate violence even though 77% of people who experience intimate partner violence experience it by a male perpetrator.

ANROWS Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety

• Domestic or family violence is the leading driver of homelessness for women.

• 42% of clients accessing specialist Homelessness Services had experienced domestic or family violence.

Family, domestic and sexual violence in Australia: continuing the national story 2019

• Indigenous people were 32 times more likely to be hospitalised for family violence as non-Indigenous people.

Everyone deserves to be safe and can access domestic violence assistance, regardless of their visa status. Visa-related abuse can include threats to have visas cancelled, or have someone deported.  

If you are experiencing domestic and family violence and have questions about your visa, you can contact: 

• Immigration Advice and Rights Centre (IARC) provides a free domestic violence priority line on (02) 8234 0777.

• Australian Red Cross - Family and Domestic Violence Financial Assistance Program.

• Family Violence Provisions - Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.

Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate.

Women from diverse cultures and backgrounds can face more difficulties reporting domestic and family violence or getting help. Language barriers, social isolation, pressure from extended family members and uncertain citizenship can make it difficult for them to understand their rights and access support. 

Locate help resources translated in other languages.

Non-fatal strangulation is a high-risk factor that can indicate severe or lethal violence by men against their female intimate partners. This resource details some related symptoms a person might experience days, weeks and months after any pressure is applied to the neck. If you experience these it is important to seek immediate medical assessment. 

You can find physical copies of this resource at Georges River Council's Civic Centre, Corner MacMahon and Dora Streets, Hurstville. 

Safety planning involves ideas that will help keep you safe and how to put them in to action. Here are some things you can do now to make it safer for you and your children.  

• Be aware of all exit routes and safety spots for you and your children.  

• Seek support from neighbours to call the police if they hear a disturbance.  

• Develop a safety plan for your children including how to call 000, how to safely exit the house and how to get help.

• Important documents/medications kept in an accessible place to take with you.

• Phone police as soon as you can.

• Seek medical support for any injuries.

• Keep a diary of violent incidents, including dates. 

Further information is available in the Legal Aid publication Charmed and Dangerous.

If you need to escape domestic violence, but don’t have anywhere to go, there is housing support out there! 

• Link2Home: 1800 152 152.

• Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463.

Please follow this link to read about the housing products available through DCJ Housing for those who have experienced domestic violence. You can also apply for housing assistance online.

Georges River Libraries have easy to read books about domestic and family violence that are designed to help children.  

• You can view the raising readers collection in the library catalogue.

• You can join the library.

• If you need more information about the library or collection please contact us by phone or email.

There are two types of Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs) that protect people from harm:

1. ADVO (Apprehended Domestic Violence Order): relates to the protection of a person in a domestic relationship.
2. ​APVO (Apprehended Personal Violence Order): protection of a person with no domestic relationship between them. (Such as with co-workers and neighbours).

The Legal Aid NSW Apprehended Violence Orders webpage has more information. It covers the types of AVOs and their effects on the protected person and the defendant.

The NSW Police Apprehended Violence Orders webpage has more information on AVOs, how to apply and how to contact a Domestic Violence Liaison Officer (DVLO). A DVLO is a specialist police officer. They are trained in:

• The dynamics of domestic and family violence.

• Child protection procedures.

• Victim support.

• Court AVO processes to protect family violence victims.