Unfortunately, the reality is that many women have to explain and re-explain their circumstances until they find the right service to provide them with the assistance they need.
Luckily, this often emotionally-devastating process won’t last for much longer. The NSW Government’s new It Stops Here Domestic and Family Violence Framework for Reform aims to improve the quality of services by government agencies and non-government organisations, in regards to their response towards victims of violence. By implementing new Local Coordination Points (LCPs), a more integrated system connecting different services will be created so that women will only have to tell their story once.
As part of the reforms, RLC’s Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (Sydney WDVCAS) has been chosen to implement one of the two launch sites for the rollout of the new model of service delivery.
Susan Smith, Coordinator of Sydney WDVCAS at RLC said, “We believe the new approach will greatly reduce service response times, and will mean all victims will be provided with a far more coordinated approach to service provision.”
Helen Brereton, WDVCAS NSW Executive Officer said, “WDVCAS NSW believes the development of the proposed integrated service system is critical to improving the safety and wellbeing of victims of domestic violence. Our focus will be on supporting and empowering women and their children who are living with the fear and trauma of domestic violence on a daily basis.”
