Escaping domestic violence is a critical, life-saving decision that requires immense courage. For women taking this step, access to comprehensive support services is essential for rebuilding their lives. From emergency shelters to legal advocacy and counselling, these services provide the safety, stability, and empowerment needed for survivors to reclaim their independence and well-being.
In New South Wales (NSW), one woman is killed by an intimate partner approximately every 11 days. Across Australia, intimate partner homicides, which predominantly affect women, have increased in recent years. In 2022–2023, nearly 90% of intimate partner homicide victims were female, with a notable rise in cases by 28% from the previous year.
These statistics highlight the ongoing crisis of domestic violence and underscore the need for continued efforts to support women and prevent such tragedies.
Making the first move to leave an abusive relationship is not an easy one, but there are many local services across Sydney’s North Shore who can help. Everyone deserves a safe home, free from violence.
LISTEN NOW: HOW TO LEAVE AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
What is a shelter?
When escaping domestic violence, many women and children have nowhere to run. A women’s shelter (or refuge) offers respite when they are most vulnerable, which clients often remark “gives them time to breathe”.
Many arrive with just the clothes on their backs. Once their physical and safety needs are addressed, supporting them in rebuilding their lives begins. Immediate support and accommodation include the essentials of food, clothing and shelter. Many shelters then offer support services to help them get back on their feet.
A plan forward is made and worked towards relocation services in place to help with transitional housing, bridging loans, the purchase of appliances and furniture and more.
North Shore services for women escaping domestic violence
Immediate Domestic Violence Crisis Services
- Mary’s House (Lower North Shore): a secular, community-funded organisation in the Northern Suburbs of Sydney whose services include safe, temporary accommodation for women and their children escaping family and domestic violence at their refuge.
- Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter (Hornsby): support for women experiencing domestic violence and homelessness through crisis accommodation and outreach services in the community
- Catholic Care, Northern Sydney: provides a range of services to assist women and children experiencing domestic and family violence.
- Delvena Women and Children’s Refuge (Lower North Shore): crisis accommodation for women and children escaping domestic violence.
- Killara Refuge: crisis accommodation and case management service for women with children who have experienced domestic/family violence. Provide safe shared accommodation with individual bedrooms.
Ongoing Domestic Violence Support
- Mary’s House Services: The Daisy Centre: a community programs service in which specialist caseworkers provide expert and practical guidance and support, including access to financial and legal advice, safety planning, and emotional support via counselling and therapeutic classes.
- Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Survivors Group: Confidential and informal support is offered to residents within the Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai areas by domestic and family violence survivors who understand firsthand the challenges and complications associated with being a survivor. Support is informal and provided either one-on-one or in small groups that meet over coffee.
- Family Project: a charitable initiative designed to help support the mental, emotional and physical well-being of families through an inspirational and clinically supported daily family project.
- Fitted for Work: help women in Australia experiencing disadvantages get work, keep work, and successfully navigate working life.
- Dress for Success: Dress for Success in Australia is part of a global non-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence. It provides accessible professional attire, career development tools, and a supportive network to help women secure employment and succeed. The services include personalized styling sessions, job interview coaching, and workplace readiness programs to build confidence and enable women to thrive in both work and life. This initiative is especially significant for women facing challenges such as domestic violence or long-term unemployment, helping them regain control over their lives and futures.
Women’s Support Groups
- Women of Strength Support Group: an 8-week support group for women who have experienced an abusive relationship.
Northern Beaches services for women escaping domestic violence
Immediate Domestic Violence Crisis Services
- Bringa Women & Children’s Refuge: provides crisis accommodation to women and children escaping domestic violence for up to three months while providing case management to address the complex needs of mothers and their children.
- Catholic Care, Northern Beaches: provides a range of services to assist women and children experiencing domestic and family violence.
- Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter provides individual case management using an outcomes-based approach. It assists women in accessing permanent accommodation and community support services.
Ongoing Domestic Violence Support
- Family Project: a charitable initiative designed to help support families’ mental, emotional and physical well-being through an inspirational and clinically supported daily family project.
- Fitted for Work: helps women in Australia experiencing disadvantages get work, keep working and successfully navigate working life.
- Northern Beaches Council: they link young people, children and families to culturally sensitive services in your local area.
Women’s Support Groups
- Northern Beaches Council: monthly support and short-term counselling and coaching for women who have experienced domestic violence. It is an online or face-to-face support group, run by registered counsellors.
CALD services for women escaping domestic violence
- Bonnie Support Services: assist women who have experienced domestic or family violence and who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
- Open Support: assist women and their children who are escaping an abusive home by providing safe accommodation and specialised support.
- Womens’ and Girls’ Emergency Centre: support women and children impacted by homelessness, domestic violence and systemic disadvantage. They provide material aid, case management, biopsychosocial support, accommodation, and crisis responses.
- CASS Care: To help newly arrived Chinese-speaking migrants regain control of their lives, CASS will provide extra Domestic and Family Violence casework services.
- Interrelate: a not-for-profit relationship service provider specialising in supporting parents and children.
- Sydney Multicultural Community Services: in partnership with the Australian Red Cross, they have a series of workshops focused on Employment Skills.
- The Social Outfit provides employment and training to people from refugee and new migrant communities in clothing production, retail, design, and marketing.
Emergency Resources
- NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 65 64 63
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- If you are in danger, call 000
LISTEN NOW: HOW TO LEAVE AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
More mental health support
- Podcast: Domestic Violence & how to leave an abusive partner
- How to safely plan to leave an abusive relationship
- Technology-Facilitated Abuse: The Hidden Danger in our Digital Lives
- R U OK? Free Helplines: Mental Health, Domestic Violence & Health Services
- Stay healthy! Online Health & Fitness Programs for Adults
