How understanding trauma could change courtroom outcomes for victim-survivors
Helping juries better understand trauma could lead to fairer outcomes for victim-survivors of sexual violence, the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre says. The Centre has welcomed proposals from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) to strengthen NSW’s sexual consent laws, including expanded jury directions to challenge common myths about sexual violence. The proposed reforms […]
How the ACT is building on NSW’s coercive control laws
The z says the ACT’s move to criminalise coercive control provides an opportunity to build on lessons from New South Wales and Queensland as more states and territories recognise patterns of abuse in law. The comments come as the ACT Government introduces legislation that, if passed, will create a standalone coercive control offence, recognising domestic […]
Funding boost welcomed as demand for domestic violence support continues to grow
Frontline domestic, family and sexual violence services will receive an extra $184.1 million over four years under a major NSW Government funding package. The investment delivers a 50 per cent increase in funding to six frontline programs, including Safer Pathway, Staying Home Leaving Violence, Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Services, Men’s Behaviour Change Programs, Domestic […]
New role to strengthen Aboriginal community partnerships across the Illawarra
The Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre is seeking an Aboriginal Partnerships and Community Engagement Coordinator to help strengthen connections with Aboriginal women, families and communities across the Illawarra and ensure Aboriginal voices, knowledge and perspectives continue to shape the Centre’s services and future direction. The Aboriginal Identified position has been created as the Centre continues […]
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 […]