Eight tips from our team on finding self-compassion this festive season
For many people, the festive season can be particularly challenging, especially for those who have experienced trauma, violence, loss, or major life changes. While this time of year is often portrayed as joyful and connected, it can also activate memories, emotional responses, and feelings of vulnerability that are closely linked to trauma. According to the […]
Where to get support in the Illawarra over the Christmas break
The team at the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre will be taking a break from December 19 and reopening with fresh new year energy on Monday, January 5. While our services are closed, we know the Christmas season can be a difficult time for many people experiencing loneliness, homelessness, domestic, family and sexual violence, or […]
New CEO Elise Phillips to lead Illawarra’s Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre into next phase
Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre has appointed Elise Phillips as its new CEO, bringing more than 15 years’ experience across counselling, leadership and systems advocacy in the domestic, family and sexual violence sector. Growing up in Towradgi and studying at the University of Wollongong, Ms Phillips has built a career grounded in community and relationships, […]
How new training will support older women facing domestic, family and sexual violence
The Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre has welcomed the rollout of new frontline training resources to help workers identify and respond to domestic, family and sexual violence against older women. A sharp rise in violence against older women and women with disability has prompted the new frontline initiative across NSW, and was unveiled during the […]
Six stories to read during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
As the world marks the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the past week’s reporting in the media has delivered a confronting snapshot of the scale of Australia’s crisis, and the growing public demand for change. As Rita Nasr writes in Women’s Agenda, the 16 Days should not be reduced to a tick-box exercise; […]
National inquiry into domestic, family and sexual violence and suicide welcomed
We know from women with lived experience and emerging evidence that domestic, family and sexual violence has profound impacts on mental health and wellbeing.
Urgent call to prevent male teen masculinity from fuelling domestic, family and sexual violence
The Federal Government is being called to urgently overhaul support services for children and teenagers experiencing violence, as new research reveals harmful pressures on boys are driving worrying trends. The Adolescent Man Box report, released by Jesuit Social Services’ The Men’s Project, shows many boys continue to feel pressure to conform to rigid and harmful […]
Commissioners hear Illawarra’s call for systemic change to end violence against women and children at roundtable
The Illawarra’s frontline services have warned that domestic, family and sexual violence will not become “rare, brief and non-recurrent” without urgent fixes to childcare, housing and justice, at a regional roundtable attended by NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin and Commonwealth Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin. Hosted by the Illawarra Women’s Health […]
‘Safety must be a right, not a privilege’: What you need to know from the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission’s 2025 Yearly Report
Australia’s national effort to end domestic, family and sexual violence is entering a critical new phase, according to the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission’s 2025 Yearly Report. The report outlines both what has been achieved through the First Action Plan 2023-2027, which set the foundation for the National Plan to End Violence Against Women […]
Alcohol keeps fuelling violence against women. It’s time the national plan caught up.
Alcohol often tips families from stress into crisis.