Why recovery must be at the heart of Australia’s next National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children
Australia’s next national action plan to address domestic, family and sexual violence must place recovery and healing at its core if the nation is serious about breaking cycles of intergenerational abuse, according to Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre CEO Elise Phillips. Ms Phillips has welcomed the national consultation process that will inform Australia’s Second Action […]
Building hope and recovery: Manda Rochester joins the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre as Head of Programs
The Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre has welcomed Manda Rochester as its new Head of Programs. Manda brings extensive experience in trauma recovery and domestic violence services to the organisation’s work supporting women affected by domestic, family and sexual violence. She has spent much of her career supporting people through some of life’s most challenging […]
How the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre is using yarning circles to build connection
There are no desks, agendas or PowerPoint slides in the room when staff at the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre gather for a yarning circle. Instead, chairs are pulled into a circle and conversations unfold slowly – with time to listen, reflect and speak openly. The Centre has introduced regular Yarning Circles as part of […]
How nature can support women recovering from domestic, family and sexual violence
The Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre is delivering a Healing in Nature program to support women recovering from domestic, family and sexual violence through guided nature immersion, mindfulness and creative reflection. Led by ecopsychologist Dr Rachel Yerbury, the program draws on her research into the relationship between psychology, nature and well-being, including the ways connection […]
What the Federal Budget’s child support reforms mean for victim-survivors
The Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre has welcomed new Federal Budget reforms aimed at stopping perpetrators from weaponising the Child Support Scheme, describing the changes as an important recognition of financial abuse as a form of domestic and family violence. The Federal Government has committed $182.6 million over four years to reform the Child Support […]
Survivors share stories of healing through art at Shellharbour Civic Centre Exhibition
The Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre will open a month-long public exhibition at the Shellharbour Civic Centre on Monday, August 3, showcasing artworks created by women participating in its healing programs. Running until Friday, August 28, the We Are exhibition brings together a collection of paintings, clay, stitching, and mixed-media works developed through therapeutic group […]
“We know what works”: Domestic, family violence services call for investment, not disruption
We know what works. The issue is not that the system is broken – it’s that it’s under significant pressure.
New guidebook launched to support women recovering from domestic, family and sexual violence
The Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre has introduced a new Client Guidebook aimed at improving access, understanding and support for women recovering and healing from domestic, family and sexual violence. The guidebook provides a clear overview of the Centre’s services, values and expectations, and is a key resource for clients at all stages of their […]
How movement is supporting healing at the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre
Movement is increasingly recognised as a key part of trauma recovery, which is reflected in the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre’s expanded movement programs. Research in trauma and neuroscience shows that trauma is not only processed cognitively but also experienced in the body, influencing how the nervous system responds to stress and safety. Gentle, guided […]
How to show self-compassion during times of shared grief
At the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre, we hold space for the emotional, physical and spiritual impacts of living in a world during times of global conflict. War and violence touch women’s lives in ways that echo through our bodies, families and communities. Even when we are far from the conflict, we may feel the […]