Southern Sydney Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service helping combat DV increase during pandemic

We are delighted to be notified that our Southern Sydney Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services, which we operate on behalf of Legal Aid NSW, has received a funding boost to increase support during this pandemic.

Miranda MP Eleni Petinos announced the funding boost last week and said the money would aid domestic violence victims and survivors.

"The pandemic has increased the potential for domestic abuse in homes across our community so we want to ensure help is available and accessible at this crucial time," Ms Petinos said. "Our dedicated frontline services, as well as police and local court staff, do an incredible job each day responding to the scourge of domestic and family violence. "This funding boost by the NSW and commonwealth governments will ensure Sutherland Shire Family Services have the resources they need to respond to any increase in service demand across our community."

In responding to this funding announcement SSFS provided the following comment

“Sutherland Shire Family Services (SSFS) has been proud to provide the Southern Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service on behalf of Legal Aid for over 20 years, supporting thousands of women locally each year who are impacted by domestic violence. The service receives on average over 400 referrals from Police every month (responding to DV callouts), and responds to these with follow up support calls ensuring women understand their options through the courts in taking out an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO), are supported through the process should they choose to implement that protective measure, and/or have other information and support offered to them to ensure their physical and emotional wellbeing.

The additional COVID-19 funding boost that the service will receive over the next 6 months will allow us to employ additional staff to assist with both the expected increase in numbers, but also the increased complexity of cases being referred, as has already been evident during this period. The funding allows us to extend increased wellbeing measures and resources for these staff, as well as increasing our ability to provide additional relief to victims. It is welcomed funding and will greatly benefit our clients and community."

CEO Ashleigh Daines and DVCAS Manager Kate Cora are pictured in the photo with Ms Petinos.

You can read the Leader article here:

Leader Article: Sutherland Shire Family Services receives funding boost to combat domestic violence increase during coronavirus pandemic