Domestic Violence & Homelessness Services

Impacts on women's safety just beginning

Megan Welsh | Executive Manager

The fallout of the 'shadow pandemic' – the rise in violence against women during the COVID-19 crisis – was revealed this year in the complexities facing clients and the growing demand for support from already-stretched specialist services.

We have seen more people affected by violence for the first time, and more who were already dealing with abuse facing escalated violence. This has brought women's needs, safety measures and resourcing into sharper focus.

This year, Centacare successfully tendered to join the new state-wide Domestic and Family Violence Alliance (DFV) in partnership with Women's Safety Services, Junction Australia, Nunga Mi:Minar Inc, the Salvation Army, Uniting Country and Yarredi Services Inc.

The DFV Alliance has developed a safety and housing first approach and is dedicated to delivering culturally safe and inclusive services. A culture of collaboration and cooperation to ensure consistent, high-quality responses underpins the Alliance.

To support this vision the Limestone Coast Domestic Violence Service (LCDVS), Murray Mallee and Adelaide Hills Domestic Violence Service and Riverland Domestic Violence Service joined together to form the Southern Country Region Domestic Violence Services.

This model provides greater opportunity for Centacare specialist domestic violence practitioners to share their wealth of knowledge and experiences and inform service delivery across these regions, with the safety of women and children at the centre of decision-making.

Exiting clients into housing has been extremely challenging in recent months due to rising rents and record low vacancy rates, slow turnover of transitional properties, and increased demand for limited affordable housing options. I admire the tenacity and creativity of staff in finding solutions amidst these complexities.

In other developments this year:

• Primary prevention came to the fore through The Haven. The safety hub officially opened at Mount Gambier Library in June to raise awareness of violence against women and the supports available to at-risk families (see separate story).

• The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme continues to boost the capacity of regional communities to keep families safe. This year, Centacare staff worked alongside SA Police to support 46 individuals deemed eligible for a disclosure. A total of 58 applications were received from mainly women aged 17 years and over in the region stretching from the Limestone Coast through to the Riverland and Murray Mallee.

• The 40 Beds project this year diverted 62 clients fleeing abusive homes away from motel accommodation. Women report regaining a sense of safety, security and stability for themselves and their children after accessing the four three-bedroom fully furnished, secure properties across DVAHS sites in Whyalla, Mount Barker, Mount Gambier and Murray Bridge.

• In March, the LCDVS was the inaugural Key 2 Kindness recipient and received $2000 to fund cooking, cleaning and laundry starter packs for women exiting crisis accommodation. The community program is an initiative of Mount Gambier real estate agency, Key 2 Sale.

• Coolock House at Morphett Vale was supported by the Southern International Women's Day Dinner in April. Partnerships with Backpacks 4 SA Kids, Wyatt Trust, the Zonta Foundation and funding from the Catholic Charities Appeal also have been pivotal in enabling clients to live safely and independently.

I would like to acknowledge former DVAHS Executive Manager Kara Piltz for her more than 20 years of service to Centacare. Kara was a strong voice in the sector and worked tirelessly in support of women and children's safety.

To the DVAHS staff in administration, on frontlines and behind-the-scenes, thank you for your commitment, dedication, perseverance and skill in a year of competing demands.

Voices for change

VOLUNTEERS: (L-R) Vivii, Libby, Jenny, Leonie, Kathy, Jenni, Barb and Christine.

Christine Plunkett is hoping to be a voice for change by being a good listener.

The retired registered nurse and Soroptimist International member is one of the faces behind The Haven, a new safety hub which opened at Mount Gambier Library in June this year.

Established by the Women's Information Service, The Haven provides resources and warm referrals to specialist domestic and family violence supports to empower women's decision-making around their safety and relationships.

Christine is among a band of specially trained volunteers who staff the hub and help start conversations around domestic violence in the community.

"Spreading the word is as important as providing information to the women we meet," Christine said. "We are not the experts but we are a listening ear who have got the resources available to empower women to make informed decisions and choices."

The Haven volunteers were mentored by long-time women's advocate and Safety Hub Project Officer, Sonya Mezinec, who was based at Centacare's Limestone Coast Domestic Violence Service while the hub was established.

"The more informed people are about red flags in relationships, the better equipped they will be to help themselves and others," Sonya said.

women sought support from the Riverland Domestic Violence Service

COMMUNITY: Audrey Bastian and Peter Sando were among 21 men who helped construct Elsie's Nature Play Space at Coolock House.

Elsie's Nature Play Space unveiled

Every now and then a challenge comes along that captures the collective heart of the Southern Community Project Group.

All 21 members get on board and skillsets are limited only by imagination.

The result of their teamwork and toil can be found in Elsie's Nature Play Space, which recently opened at Coolock House.

Located at Morphett Vale, Coolock House supports pregnant or parenting women aged under 25 years who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

"We've worked on some big projects, but this is probably the only one where all the men have joined together and really got involved and excited about what we could achieve," said Group chairman Peter Sando.

"Knowing who it's for has given us all a real buzz."

Through onsite and outreach support, young mums at Coolock House are assisted to set goals, re-engage with education, develop independent living and parenting skills, and transition into long-term housing. In 2020-2021, the service supported 92 clients including 50 children.

The play space took six months to build and was funded by a donation from a mother and daughter in memory of their loved one, Elsie.

"We are grateful for the generous donation that got this project happening, as well as the great work done by the men's group, and for gifts of time, site works, plants and irrigation from friends of Coolock," said Anthea Francis, Manager.

Soroptimists celebrate young mums

Young mums at Coolock House were surprised with picnic baskets packed with goodies ahead of Mother's Day in May.

Eight families enjoyed the spoils of their special gift over an autumn lunch, made possible by the generosity of Soroptimist International – Southern Districts branch.

The Soroptimists donated 16 picnic baskets, one for every mum engaged in the Morphett Vale-based Young Family Support Program (YFSP).

"We wanted to give them something that they could keep to highlight the special role they are playing in raising their children while also overcoming barriers of their own," Soroptimists President Lyn Palmer said.

In a card tied to one picnic basket, Soroptimists member Barbara Francis wrote: "Successful mothers are not the ones who have never struggled, they are the ones that never give up."

Coolock House Manager Anthea Francis said celebrations such as Mother's Day are often unfamiliar for young mums who are learning to parent on the back of childhood trauma and other complexities.

"Parenting is filled with rewards and challenges for all of us, but parenting with limited positive supports creates additional challenges," she said.

"That's why it's important to give them positive feedback and acknowledge the love and commitment they show every day in meeting their children's needs."