Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence provides a range of services and programs for families experiencing and escaping family and domestic violence.

What is family and domestic violence?

Family and domestic violence is when one person wants to control and have power over another. They can be an intimate partner, a parent, a child, a sibling, a carer ... anyone in your household.

There are many types of family and domestic violence including:

  • Physical

    Hurting you (pushing, slapping, punching, choking, kicking or pulling your hair), or threatening to hurt you, a loved one or a pet.

  • Financial

    Controlling your money, denying or restricting access to money, stealing from you, controlling what you can and can’t buy.

  • Sexual

    Being pressured or forced into sexual activities.

  • Social isolation

    Being kept isolated from family and friends, controlling where you go, who you speak to and whether you can work.

  • Emotional and psychological

    Manipulation, shouting, humiliation, telling you that you're worthless or stupid.

  • Spiritual and cultural

    Denying your ability to go to your place of worship or to express your religious beliefs, cultural beliefs and values.

If you can identify with any of this, please contact us.

Our priority is to help you find safety, security and stability by offering you:

  • Safe space
  • Support, understanding and respect
  • Practical assistance, resources, referrals and advocacy
  • Experience and expertise

How we support you

Our approach is personalised to you and your needs. By working closely with other services we make sure you receive the assistance that best suits your situation.

We respect and welcome women and children from all cultures in our community. We also provide culturally appropriate Aboriginal services.

  • Safe accommodation

    If you’re escaping a violent or abusive situation, we have refuges that help women on their own, as well as those with children up to 18 years of age. Whether you leave your home after packing up essentials or flee with nothing, we can help you.

  • Housing support

    Our team can assist you to find appropriate accommodation following a stay in one of our refuges. That can be short-term, transitional housing or a more stable, long-term home.

  • Counselling

    We provide free counselling for women affected by family violence, either face-to-face or on the phone. Child care for pre-school children is available during your sessions. We also have free short-term counselling sessions for children and adolescents who have experienced family violence.

  • Safe at Home program

    Sometimes the better option for you is to remain in your home while the violent perpetrator leaves. Safe at Home provides you with a range of practical and emotional supports to keep you and your children safe in your own home.

  • Group programs

    We have several group programs to support you and your children. Circle of Security concentrates on repairing the bond between parents and children who have experienced family violence.

Fresh Start

Fresh Start is a practical and easy to understand book we have written to help WA women in abusive relationships.

By working through the book, you can start to make decisions about your relationship and your future. It covers information on:

  • understanding family violence and how it can impact you and your children
  • the process of leaving a violent or abusive relationship
  • where you can go for support
  • safety considerations during and after being in a violent or abusive relationship
  • what happens after you leave
  • moving on with your life

What if it’s happening to someone you know?

Someone you know may confide in you about their situation, or you may have noticed something and want to help. The most important thing you can do is to listen without judging and respect whatever decision she may make. The best support you can offer is to help her find ways to become stronger and safer.

Things you can say:

  • I believe you
  • You do not deserve to be abused
  • I am afraid for your safety and the safety of your children
  • Do you need help to find out what services are available?

About us

For over 30 years we have been providing an expert range of services for families in Western Australia escaping and affected by family and domestic violence and abuse.

Our services and programs empower women and children to live free from family and domestic violence.

Click here to see our 2023-2026 Strategic Plan.

Who is Patricia Giles?

We are named after Patricia Giles AM, an Australian Senator for 12 years and an active and passionate advocate for community services and women’s rights. By strongly supporting the introduction of a refuge in her electorate, Patricia played a vital role in helping to get us up and running. We always strive to reflect her commitment, her wisdom, her insight and her courage.

Our work is supported by funding from the WA Department of Communities – Child Protection and Family Support, WA Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Federal Department of Human Services and through the generous support of our community and corporate partners, the WA Quilters Association and Rio Tinto.