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

Need assistance?

If you are experiencing or escaping family and domestic violence we can assist you with:

  • Safe accommodation in a crisis or emergency
  • Housing support programs
  • Women and children’s counselling
  • Safe at Home program which aims to help you remain safe in your own home
  • Wandjoo Place, family and domestic violence Hub, Merriwa

Do you have someone in your life who:

  • Makes it hard for you to leave the house?
  • Doesn’t let you have your own friends?
  • Keeps you short of money?
  • Makes you feel stupid, crazy, worthless?
  • Threatens you if you leave, talk to a lawyer or go to the police?
  • Hurts you physically?
  • Makes you have sex when you don’t want to?
  • Keeps putting you down?
  • Intentionally hurt pets or other animals?

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

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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. Step Up and Speak Out aims to reduce intergenerational violence, so children don’t repeat the violence they have been exposed to.

  • Wandjoo Place Family and Domestic Violence Hub, Merriwa

    We understand you will need to access many services in your journey to empowerment. Wandjoo Place offers more than 30 family violence services, on a rotational basis, in one convenient location. The services include financial, mental health and AOD counselling plus programs covering teens, parenting and peer support. Email us to receive our monthly calendar so we can keep you informed for yourself and your children.

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

Get more information and purchase a copy of Fresh Start →

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.

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?

Important Numbers

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 approach has always been to support them as they mentally and physically heal, and to empower them to be able to make their own decisions to get their lives back on track.

We have recently undergone a comprehensive planning process. The resulting strategic plan builds on our knowledge and expertise in family and domestic violence, while signalling a critical shift in our overall aims and how we work to achieve those aims. Key aspects are:

  • We will be building and empowering families and communities to live free from gender-based violence. This means our work will be with all people as we provide appropriate services for a diverse range of clients and family units to break the cycle of violence.
  • We will be offering an increasing number of services in violence intervention and prevention, while continuing to prioritise the provision of crisis and support services for women and children escaping and affected by family violence.
  • We will be increasing our advocacy as we aim for a society free from gender-based violence.

To better reflect our new direction and intent we have made the first step on our new journey by changing our name to Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence. Click here to see our 2020-2023 Strategic Plan. For further information and to view some of our recent strategic achievements, please click here.

Our Values

  • Equality
  • Ethical
  • Empowered

This means, together we work on the premise that everyone connected to our agency is of equal value and has an equal voice. Our vision is at the forefront of every decision we make and will guide our legacy into the future. We are empowered, accountable and strong and have empathy without judgement

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 Board

  • Candy Choo (Chairperson) is the CEO of Local Government Professionals WA and has served on the Board of several WA not-for-profits. She holds a Masters in Organisational Psychology and has worked in psychology, Human Resources and risk management roles.
  • Quyen Truong (Treasurer) is an experienced finance executive. She is the General Manager of Bruining Partners having held senior roles in the banking and financial services industries.
  • Craig Bishop (Secretary) is an experienced business leader and General Manager of Inherent Safety Group. He holds an MBA and serves on the Board of WA Blue Sky.
  • Julie Harrison is a senior executive with extensive experience working in professional services, including as a partner at Deloitte, consulting with Boards and management on strategic, organisational change and transformation projects.
  • Trudi Angwin has over 30 years’ experience in leadership across corporate, government and community organisations with an emphasis on governance, strategy, and risk management.
  • Kylie Aquilina is a qualified accountant and experienced legal practitioner specialising in family law matters.
  • Krystal Laurentsch is a registered nurse with more than 20 years’ experience at a leadership level across health and community organisations.

Annual report

Download a copy of our 2021/22 Annual Report.

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.

Purchase Just Cause products. Raise awareness of FDV. Empower families to live free from gender-based violence.

By purchasing Just Cause products, you can help raise awareness of family and domestic violence, and raise funds to empower families to live free from gender-based violence.

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