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:
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Physical
Hurting you (pushing, slapping, punching, choking, kicking or pulling your hair), or threatening to hurt you, a loved one or a pet.
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Financial
Controlling your money, denying or restricting access to money, stealing from you, controlling what you can and can’t buy.
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Sexual
Being pressured or forced into sexual activities.
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Social isolation
Being kept isolated from family and friends, controlling where you go, who you speak to and whether you can work.
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Emotional and psychological
Manipulation, shouting, humiliation, telling you that you're worthless or stupid.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Counselling
Our Women’s Counselling Service and Children’s Counselling Service are free for women (18+), children and young people (5-17) living in the Northern Corridor of the Perth Metro area. Women and children impacted by family and domestic violence (currently or previously) are eligible for 8 counselling sessions, either in-person or via telehealth.
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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.
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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 corporate partners South32.
You can support us
Your support will directly and positively impact on women and children escaping and affected by family violence.
Find out about the many ways you can help us continue to offer a range of impactful services and programs that span the family and domestic violence continuum, which includes prevention and intervention of violence as well as crisis support and care.
Find out about the many waysAll donations made over $2.00 are tax deductible.