LATEST NEWS
🎧 Podcast Feature Alert! WCS CEO Annabelle Daniel OAM joins UThink to unpack the human stories behind domestic and family violence in Australia. From the emotional weight of deciding who gets the last available bed in a crisis shelter, to the grassroots impact of education programs like Walk the Talk, Annabelle shares raw, real, and inspiring insights into the work of protecting women and children at their most vulnerable. 💬”I’m actually an optimist. I believe domestic and family violence is a solvable problem and I think there are tangible things all of us can do to make a difference in this field” 📲 Tune in here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/breaking-the-cycle-annabelle-daniel-on-shelters/id1794646110?i=1000719252013 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2f5wUszBM25wNdIvqlCxQ5?si=76d9da6ab857405b&;nd=1&dlsi=bb9e9ef7f2d447ff Thanks Impactify!Read moreRead less
“Students have really put their hearts, their hands, and their minds into the work.” Annabelle Danielle OAM Hear our CEO Annabelle’s shout out to students at the 32 high schools we’ve visited with Walk The Talk so far this year. After learning about domestic violence, they were empowered to fundraise a truly impressive amount for their local women’s shelters! Can you believe Walk the Talk is entirely funded by generous donors? Thank you to everyone who helps us educate and empower young people in schools across NSW and Victoria each week. Go Walk the Talkers! To find out more or donate: https://www.wcswalkthetalk.org.au/Read moreRead less
We know that children don't just witness violence but experience its impacts direclty. "We can’t imagine that all kids are ‘blank slates’ for generic interventions to prevent domestic violence in the future. We need tailored prevention, early intervention and recovery strategies to ensure children experiencing abuse and maltreatment are supported to be able to live full lives and break cycles." WCS CEO Annabelle Daniel OAMRead moreRead less
We couldn't do the work we do without the incredible community of wonderful corporates around us. WCS Dannielle Miller OAM, Director of Education and Special Projects was invited to meet the CEO, Andrew Yates and the COO, Eileen Hoggett at KPMG to accept a donation of 30 refurbished laptops which will now be distributed across our Women's Community Shelters network. "These devices will make a practical difference in the lives of women and children impacted by violence by offering them the digital tools they need to stay connected, access services, apply for housing and jobs, continue their education, and rebuild their lives. Technology can be a lifeline for survivors of domestic and family violence. It provides safety, independence, and access to critical support. For women in crisis, something as simple as a working laptop can be the gateway to a fresh start." Dannielle Miller OAM, WCS Director of Education and Special Projects. This generous gift is just one example of KPMG’s ongoing commitment to walking alongside us. Thank you KPMG Australia 🧡Read moreRead less
We don’t just dream it, we do it. Today we are excited to announce we will be opening a new ‘meanwhile use’ property in Southwest Sydney, providing safe stable accommodation for 28 women over 55. The experience of homelessness has become increasing among older women, growing by almost 40% between 2011 and 2021.* We are so proud to be part of changing that story. This project was co funded by the Minns Labor Government Homelessness Innovation Fund ,backed by NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson and made possible through a great collaboration between Women’s Community Shelters, Whiddon, Housing All Australians, Hume Community Housing and Urban Property Group . This is a wonderful example of government and community coming together to meet community need. Safe beds save lives 🧡 (*Source: ABS 2012, ABS 2023)Read moreRead less
Coercive control is when someone repeatedly hurts, scares or isolates another person to control them. It’s domestic abuse and it can cause serious harm, so it’s important to know the signs. ---- Helplines: If you are in need of support, please reach out. Family and domestic violence support: 1800 RESPECT (available 24/7): 1800 737 732 https://www.1800respect.org.au Free and confidential national counselling service for sexual assault and DFV Link2Home (9am-10pm daily): 1800 152 152 Information and referral helpline for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless Lifeline (available 24/7): 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277 NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463 Call, chat or text available If you are in an emergency, please call 000Read moreRead less
Behind the scenes at our newest housing project 🛠️🏠 Here’s a sneak peek at the incredible work going into our latest ‘meanwhile use’ property—set to provide safe, temporary housing for older women facing homelessness. Check out these renovations in full swing! A huge thank you to Urban Property Group for their outstanding support—retiling bathrooms, updating taps and shower screens, and removing former nursing stations to create warm and welcoming rooms. More news to follow 🧡 —- What is ‘Meanwhile use’? It’s a new and innovative housing model solution championed by Women’s Community Shelters and Housing All Australians which repurposes vacant or underutilised properties into crucial transitional accommodation.Read moreRead less
In 2022-23, across Victoria, 54 per cent of all women, young people, and children who visited a Specialist Homelessness Service reported that they were also experiencing family violence; for nearly four in 10 women, young people, and children visiting the homelessness sector, family violence was the primary driver of homelessness. 🏠 We will be opening our first shelter in VIC, Moonah House in the Mornington Peninsula. It will provide secure, safe and nurturing crisis accommodation for up to 70 clients within the first year, including 30 women and 40 children, totalling over 3400 bed nights 🧡 For more info about Moonah House, head to the website: https://moonahhouse.org.au/ Source: Council to Homeless Persons, “Bridging the gap between homelessness and family violence services.” Melbourne: 2025.Read moreRead less
"Kids have feelings and emotions too, just like adults" - Ten Children have written fictional stories to describe what it is to experience domestic violence and hope it will be read by the Prime Minister reported ABC Australia. 50% of women who experience domestic and family violence have children in their care. DFV impacts children and young people, whether through what happened to them or what they’ve witnessed, in ways that need specialist support tailored for their age. This is why the WCS Child Support Program exists. (You can read the full article here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-15/sa-children-domestic-violence-storytelling/105512296)Read moreRead less
The experience of homelessness has become increasingly widespread among older women.* At Women’s Community Shelters, we’re responding with dedicated transitional housing designed specifically for women over 55, women like Jan. These safe havens provide safety and support to more than 70 women every night 🧡 *Source: Specialist homelessness services annual report 2022–23 | AIHWRead moreRead less
📚 Recommended read “Brilliant article by Madison Griffiths in The Saturday Paper about the shortage of supported accommodation and long-term housing for women and children leaving domestic abuse.” WCS CEO Annabelle Daniel OAM This piece sheds light on a critical gap in our system — and why stronger government support is urgently needed 🧡 Head to The Saturday Paper here to read the article: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FgYxszhCB/Read moreRead less
We’re celebrating NAIDOC Week at Women’s Community Shelters! 🖤💛❤️💙💚🤍 Our incredible Manager – First Nations Partnership and Outcomes says this is her favourite week of the year, and she’s brought the spirit of NAIDOC to life through wonderful activities with our team, including making message sticks together. Traditionally, message sticks were used across Indigenous Australia to share important news and connect communities, each carved or painted mark holding meaning. It was a special way for us to learn, connect, and reflect on the strength and richness of First Nations culture. #NAIDOC2025 #NAIDOCWeek #StrengthVisionLegacyRead moreRead less
During the school holidays, we always see a spike in referrals in our services as mums often plan to leave an abusive relationship when it's the least disruptive for their children. WCS CEO, Annabelle Daniel writes about the unprecedented deman in the Daily Telegraph. Read the article here: https://eu3gbhyx3of.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/07092025_DailyTelegraph_DomesticViolence_Winter.jpgRead moreRead less
State of Origin Game III is on tonight and with it comes a spike of DV due to easily available alcochol. Victim/survivors regularly tell us this is part of their experience. Not all, but significant numbers. We need to believe them. Helplines: If you are in need of support, please reach out. Family and domestic violence support: 1800 RESPECT (available 24/7): 1800 737 732 https://www.1800respect.org.au Free and confidential national counselling service for sexual assault and DFV Link2Home (9am-10pm daily): 1800 152 152 Information and referral helpline for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless Lifeline (available 24/7): 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277 NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463 Call, chat or text available If you are in an emergency, please call 000Read moreRead less
NAIDOC Week marks a powerful milestone: 50 years of honoring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. We would like to share our Acknowlegement of Country written by our Manager – First Nations Partnership and Outcomes 🖤💛❤️💚💙🤍 #NAIDOC2025 #NAIDOCWeek #StrengthVisionLegacyRead moreRead less
"This year, our hearts have been filled by your incredible generosity and commitment in walking beside us to create more safe beds for women and children escaping abuse. The final amount, an astonishing $1,447,412.62, came from you, our wonderful community of supporters. We set a high goal, and your response was generous beyond our expectations. I want to say a personal thank you to each and every one of you, whatever you were able to contribute. Every gift, no matter how small, makes a tangible difference to a woman or child needing to build a safer future. My commitment to you is that we will steward your contributions carefully, and keep you updated on our progress towards those new safe places. Our goal this End of Financial Year was to raise funds to establish and run two new shelters: 🏠 One in NSW — we can’t wait to share more soon 🏠 One in VIC on the Mornington Peninsula — getting underway We cannot thank you enough, and please keep an eye out for our updates towards those goals. We'll be changing more lives together before the year's end!" Women's Community Shelters CEO, Annabelle Daniel OAMRead moreRead less
We’re proud to support, celebrate, and honour National NAIDOC Week here at WCS. Our wonderful Manager – First Nations Partnership and Outcomes has shared this message with us: “There’s something really special about NAIDOC. It’s that one week where we get to take up space, celebrate who we are, and showcase how deadly our culture, our community, and our people really are — loud and proud. For once, it’s not about politics or explaining ourselves. It’s about joy, connection, truth, and strength. (And yep — I know the racism and the whispers still creep in sometimes, but during NAIDOC, they’re usually drowned out by the colour, the pride, and the power of our voices when we come together.) The theme this year is The Next Generation – Sustaining Strength, Vision & Legacy This theme is about honouring our Elders, holding onto our culture, and lifting our young ones — because they’re the ones who will carry the fire forward. It’s about standing in that space between past and future and knowing that we are part of something bigger. Something strong” Stay tuned throughout the week as we share how we’re supporting and celebrating NAIDOC Week at WCS. Visit https://www.naidoc.org.au/ for all the info. #NAIDOC2025 #NAIDOCWeek #StrengthVisionLegacyRead moreRead less
Have you seen the viral TikTok trend where Lorde’s voice sings “Let’s hear it for the man of the year”? 👀 As news.com.au reports, women are using the trend to spotlight toxic, disturbing and sometimes dangerous behaviour by men in their lives. Some post screenshots of emotional abuse. Others share videos, voicemails, or even footage of property damage. 💬 WCS CEO Annabelle Daniel OAM shares her reaction to this trend — and the power of women sharing their lived experience. Watch our slides for her full commentary.Read moreRead less
"Excellent article sharing the experiences of victim/survivors with coercive control, showing how isolation from social networks and supports, and monitoring of behaviours are often the earliest signs of abusive relationships. The women we support across the Women's Community Shelters network also reflect that isolation from supportive relationships, and often physical moves away from support networks, commonly occur." WCS CEO, Annabelle Daniel OAM Read the full article on ABC News here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-01/victim-survivors-share-early-warning-signs-of-abuse/105430166Read moreRead less
🌟 New Role: Crisis Intervention and Communities Manager We are looking for an experienced leader, to help us establish and run a new crisis accommodation and case management program in the Inner West which focuses on women experiencing Domestic and Family Violence. It is a great role in a vibrant organisation. Join our team and make a difference. All the details about the role and how to apply here: 👉 https://www.seek.com.au/Women's-Community-Shelters-jobs?jobId=85217337&type=standard If you know anyone who would be a good fit for the role, please share.Read moreRead less
Help Support Her when she needs it the most. Your gift today will help save the lives of women and children experiencing homelessness, domestic and family violence. Please donate today: https://www.womenscommunityshelters.org.au/donate/Read moreRead less
We're so close to our target - last hours to donate and help us set up 2 new shelters, one in NSW and one in VIC 🧡 Donate here: https://bit.ly/EOFY_women_escaping_violence Don’t forget, every donation over $2 is tax deductible.Read moreRead less
In a housing crisis, we are forced to turn away 1 in 2 women simply because we don’t have enough safe places for them to go. Help us achieve our goal to open two new shelters this EOFY. 🧡 Your donation today will help create more safe beds, more shelter, and save more lives. 👉 Donate today: https://bit.ly/EOFY_women_escaping_violence Don’t forget, every donation over $2 is tax deductible.Read moreRead less
A recent ABC News article details the harrowing story of a Canberra public servant who was jailed for repeatedly raping and assaulting his wife during their relationship. The court heard of a relentless cycle of control, fear, and violence behind closed doors. Swipe through our slides for key insights from the article and a reminder of why understanding domestic violence matters. Read the full article by Elizabeth Byrne here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-26/public-servant-jailed-for-raping-assaulting-wife/105464376 If you are in need of support, please reach out. Family and domestic violence support: 1800 RESPECT (available 24/7): 1800 737 732 https://www.1800respect.org.au Free and confidential national counselling service for sexual assault and DFV Link2Home (9am-10pm daily): 1800 152 152 Information and referral helpline for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless Lifeline (available 24/7): 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277 NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463 Call, chat or text available If you are in an emergency, please call 000Read moreRead less
Be the reason she’s safe. 1 in 2 Australian women are turned away from shelters every night. We've been brave this EOFY and decided to raise our target to open 2 new shelters 🏠 Your donation makes a huge difference. Give today 🧡 https://bit.ly/EOFY_women_escaping_violence Don’t forget, every donation over $2 is tax deductible.Read moreRead less
👋 Meet our CEO, Annabelle Daniel OAM Annabelle leads Women's Community Shelters with purpose and passion – advocating for women and children, driving housing innovation, and amplifying the voices of those with lived experience. She’s a fierce believer that domestic and family violence is a whole-of-society problem – and that together, we can solve it.Read moreRead less
60% of recorded coercive control incidents involved harassment, monitoring or tracking according to BOCSAR coercive control monitoring report March 205. Women's Community Shelters CEO, Annabelle Daniel OAM explains what technology-facilitated coercive control feels like. Access the report here: https://bocsar.nsw.gov.au/documents/topic-areas/domestic-violence/Coercive_Control_Monitoring_Report_March_2025.pdfRead moreRead less
🔊 “I blamed myself.” Liberal Leader Sussan Ley has revealed she was a victim of coercive control — a brave admission that echoes the experience of so many women. Women’s Community Shelters CEO, Annabelle Daniel OAM, responded: 💬 “It’s incredibly powerful to hear a leader speak so eloquently about coercive control, and to place domestic and family violence so firmly on her party’s agenda as a critical issue.” 👉 Swipe through to read more of Annabelle’s reflections. #CoerciveControl #DFV #WomensSafety #WCS If you are in need of support, please reach out. Family and domestic violence support: 1800 RESPECT (available 24/7): 1800 737 732 https://www.1800respect.org.au Free and confidential national counselling service for sexual assault and DFV Link2Home (9am-10pm daily): 1800 152 152 Information and referral helpline for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless Lifeline (available 24/7): 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277 NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463 Call, chat or text available If you are in an emergency, please call 000Read moreRead less
Safe beds = Safe lives A safe bed in a supportive shelter can mean staying alive, or out of hospital. It could be the reason a child sleeps safely in a warm bed, and not in a car. And your donation will be doubled: 🧡 🧡 One safe night becomes two - so they can start rebuilding their lives. Please give today: https://bit.ly/EOFY_women_escaping_violence Don’t forget, every donation over $2 is tax deductible.Read moreRead less
📢 "This mother and her kids were rejected for emergency housing after fleeing a violent ex-partner." In ABC News, Sarah* shares her story of escaping domestic and family violence — and the many obstacles she faced when trying to find safety. WCS CEO Annabelle Daniel says: "Experience’s like Sarah’s are not uncommon. Specialised crisis support services like Women's Community Shelters are incredibly important, as they provide dedicated safe accommodation and casework for women and kids escaping violence and abuse. Unsupported, non-specialist temporary accommodation in motels does not support healing, recovery or housing security." Read the full article here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-24/indigenous-domestic-violence-victim-denied-emergency-housing/105443120 -- If you are in need of support, please reach out. Family and domestic violence support: 1800 RESPECT (available 24/7): 1800 737 732 https://www.1800respect.org.au Free and confidential national counselling service for sexual assault and DFV Link2Home (9am-10pm daily): 1800 152 152 Information and referral helpline for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless Lifeline (available 24/7): 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277 NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463 Call, chat or text available If you are in an emergency, please call 000Read moreRead less
📊 The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) has released its latest coercive control monitoring report, covering July 2024 to March 2025. In that time, 224 incidents were recorded. What the data shows: ➡️ 92% of victims were women, with male perpetrators. ⚠️ Alcohol was involved in 7% of recorded offences. 📖 Read the full report here: https://bocsar.nsw.gov.au/documents/topic-areas/domestic-violence/Coercive_Control_Monitoring_Report_March_2025.pdf --- If you are in need of support, please reach out. Family and domestic violence support: 1800 RESPECT (available 24/7): 1800 737 732 https://www.1800respect.org.au Free and confidential national counselling service for sexual assault and DFV Link2Home (9am-10pm daily): 1800 152 152 Information and referral helpline for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless Lifeline (available 24/7): 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277 NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463 Call, chat or text available If you are in an emergency, please call 000Read moreRead less
Hear from WCS CEO how your EOFY donation (which will be matched) can help 🧡 What women and children escaping domestic and family violence need is safe spaces. Help us open 2 new shelters in the coming year. Donate today: https://bit.ly/EOFY_women_escaping_violence Every donation over $2 is tax deductible.Read moreRead less
📊 The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) has released its latest coercive control monitoring report, covering the period since coercive control was criminalised in NSW in July 2024 through to March 2025. In that time, 224 incidents have been recorded — an average of 25 per month. ➡️ In 92% of the cases, women were victims of male perpetrators. The main controlling behaviours identified were: - Harrassment, monitoring and tracking (60%) - Threats or intimidation (50%) - Financial abuse (46%) - Shaming, degrading or humiliating (44%) - Social isolation or cultural abuse (42%) 📖 Read the full report here: https://bocsar.nsw.gov.au/documents/topic-areas/domestic-violence/Coercive_Control_Monitoring_Report_March_2025.pdf?mc_cid=3120e6eeea&;mc_eid=cb90e6884d --- If you are in need of support, please reach out. Family and domestic violence support: 1800 RESPECT (available 24/7): 1800 737 732 https://www.1800respect.org.au Free and confidential national counselling service for sexual assault and DFV Link2Home (9am-10pm daily): 1800 152 152 Information and referral helpline for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless Lifeline (available 24/7): 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277 NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463 Call, chat or text available If you are in an emergency, please call 000Read moreRead less
❓Have you ever thought about what it means to be a refugee? You’ve left your entire life behind and are trying to start over in a new country — learning new systems, adapting to a different culture, rebuilding from the ground up. And just when you need support the most, the person closest to you begins to hurt you—emotionally, physically, or both. 📊 One in three women from migrant and refugee backgrounds in Australia have experienced domestic and family violence.(Source: Segrave, Wickes & Keel, 2021) At WCS, we are committed to provide our services to all the women and children who escape domestic and family violence and offer a wrap-around service to help them navigate the systems so unknown to them. #WorldRefugeeDay #WorldRefugeeWeekRead moreRead less
A young man who perpetrated a four-month regime of domestic violence against a woman receiving NDIS support has been jailed — as reported in a recent ABC News article. This case is a stark reminder of the heightened risk faced by women with disability. 📊 65% of women with disability report experiencing at least one incident of violence since the age of 15. (Source: NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Strategic Plan 2024–2027 – Working together to address domestic, family and sexual violence). At Women’s Community Shelters, we see firsthand that coercive control is about dominating and controlling somebody, keeping them in fear, and intimidating them. It's cutting off a victim-survivor's access to the outside world in many different ways. Our social tiles highlight the many tactics the perpetrator used — as outlined in the article by Judge Kudelka — to control and intimidate. Often invisible to others, always devastating in impact. Read the full article here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-18/tyson-hubbard-jailed-horror-dv-regime-ndis-recipient/105426070 -- If you are in need of support, please reach out to the following helplines: Family and domestic violence support: 1800 RESPECT (available 24/7): 1800 737 732 https://www.1800respect.org.au Free and confidential national counselling service for sexual assault and DFV Link2Home (9am-10pm daily): 1800 152 152 Information and referral helpline for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless Lifeline (available 24/7): 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277 NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463 Call, chat or text available If you are in an emergency, please call 000Read moreRead less
We are Women's Community Shelters 🧡 If you would like to donate this EOFY and support our work, your donation will be matched 🧡 🧡 This match is only available for a limited time. Please give today: https://bit.ly/EOFY_women_escaping_violence Don’t forget, every donation over $2 is tax deductible.Read moreRead less
🏠YOUR DONATION DOUBLED $150 = $300 - doubling the nights of safety and support for a woman and her children. 🧡 🧡 One safe night becomes two - so they can start rebuilding their lives. A safe bed in a supportive shelter can mean staying alive, or out of hospital. It could be the reason a child sleeps safely in a warm bed, and not in a car. This match is only available for a limited time. Please give today: https://bit.ly/EOFY_women_escaping_violence Don’t forget, every donation over $2 is tax deductible.Read moreRead less
"It takes a whole of community to create positive social change. Last week champions from local community and our staff rolled up their sleeves to prepare our newest shelter for service readiness. Women's Community Shelters together with Camden Women's Shelter and local community champions will be establishing a much needed crisis accomodation shelter in Liverpool LGA for women and children impacted by domestic and family violence. Huge support from the Liverpool community to bring this to fruition 🙏🏽🙏🏽 Sue-Lei Mingay and Cheryl Macnaught"Read moreRead less
For World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, WCS CEO, Annabelle Daniel OAM sheds light on the connection between elder abuse and women's homelessness. It’s important to recognise that abuse doesn’t always happen in intimate partner relationships but also within families. This abuse impacts women’s financial safety and security and puts them at a significant risk of homelessness. WCS is dedicated to addressing this issue by providing safe, secure and supportive emergency accommodation and dedicated transitional housing designed exclusively for women over 55. We now operate 5 large properties tailored to their needs. 🧡 If you’d like to make an impact this End of Financial Year, donate to our campaign: https://bit.ly/EOFY_women_escaping_violenceRead moreRead less
Do you know what women and children escaping domestic and family violence need most?It’s safe housing, short-term in the midst of crisis, and long-term, so they can build new futures. In a housing crisis, we are forced to turn away 1 in 2 women simply because we don’t have enough safe places for them to go. This June, will you help us raise $750,000 - the cost to open and run a new shelter for a year, giving hope and safety to over 30 women and 80 children in desperate need? 🧡 Your donation today will help create more safe beds, more shelter, and save more lives. 👉 Donate today: https://bit.ly/EOFY_women_escaping_violenceRead moreRead less
"He stopped me from talking to male colleagues." The authors of a new research publish their findings in The Conversation on how domestic violence often begins with isolation and control. WCS CEO Annabelle Daniel OAM says: "This excellent research surveys a large number of coercive control survivors and highlights that isolation from friends, family and social networks is an early red flag in an abusive relationship. Working with hundreds of women and children every year, we see this reflected in the experiences women disclose to us." 👉 Go through the slides for the red flags to watch for. Read the article here: ‘He stopped me from talking to male colleagues’: new research shows how domestic violence so often starts with isolation and control Annabelle Daniel OAM is the founding CEO of Women’s Community Shelters, Chair of Domestic Violence NSW (the peak body for domestic and family violence services in NSW and The Independent Member on the New South Wales Coercive Control Implementation Taskforce, leading the Domestic and Family Violence Sector and Lived Expertise Reference Groups. -- If you are in need of support, please reach out. Family and domestic violence support: 1800 RESPECT (available 24/7): 1800 737 732 https://www.1800respect.org.au Free and confidential national counselling service for sexual assault and DFV Link2Home (9am-10pm daily): 1800 152 152 Information and referral helpline for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless Lifeline (available 24/7): 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277 NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463 Call, chat or text available If you are in an emergency, please call 000Read moreRead less
📰 Read the inspiring story of Conor Pall, a young man driving change in the Victorian legislation after being forced to navigate a system that failed to recognise him as a victim of family violence in his own right. At WCS, safeguarding children has always been a core priority. Keeping children safe helps to interrupt cycles of violence. We recognise children as clients in their own right—individuals with unique needs, experiences, and rights. Children are not merely ‘accompanying’ their mothers, but are deserving of dedicated support, care, and advocacy that meets their unique needs 🧡Read moreRead less
❗Important changes in the Family Law Act: From 10 June 2025, the Family Law Act 1975 includes changes to the law about: • how the family law courts will determine a property settlement • what the family law courts will consider when determining a property settlement. This includes the economic effect of any family violence, where relevant. These changes apply to all separating couples, whether their property settlement is determined by the family law courts, or they are negotiating outside of court. This might include where a person has controlled all of the finances or spending. The impact of family violence could be relevant when assessing a party’s contributions to the property pool and to the welfare of the family (for example, if they were not allowed to work), and when assessing their current and future circumstances (for example, if they have ongoing counselling or rehabilitation costs). More information here: https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/publications/family-law-changes-june-2025-information-family-law-professionalsRead moreRead less
🏠 Women's Community Shelters has established 11 crisis shelters across NSW—and two more are opening soon to support women and children escaping domestic and family violence. (We accommodate 220 women and children every single night. In 2024, that totalled almost 67,000 nights of safety for 1606 women and children.) For women over 50, we now provide four dedicated housing properties that offer safety and stability for up to 75 women at risk. But the need keeps growing. 🧡 This End of Financial Year, you can help us create more life-changing housing solutions. 👉 Donate today: https://bit.ly/EOFY_women_escaping_violence Don’t forget, every donation over $2 is tax deductible. #EOFYgiving #SafeHousing #EndDFV #WomensCommunityShelters #DonateForImpactRead moreRead less
1 in 2 Australian women are turned away from shelters every night. Be the reason she’s safe. Your donation makes a huge difference. Give today 🧡 https://bit.ly/EOFY_women_escaping_violence Don’t forget, every donation over $2 is tax deductible.Read moreRead less
✊💬 Our CEO speaks out in a powerful op-ed for Women's Agenda. Don't miss it! 📰 Read here: https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/what-the-ten-to-men-study-tells-us-and-what-it-must-not-excuse/ Women’s Community Shelters CEO, Annabelle Daniel OAM is also Chair of Domestic Violence NSW (the peak body for domestic and family violence services in NSW), and the Independent Member on the New South Wales Coercive Control Implementation Taskforce, leading the Domestic and Family Violence Sector and Lived Expertise Reference Groups.Read moreRead less
💡 Important read on financial abuse and the child support system A recent ABC article highlights how some parents are able to manipulate the child support system with little to no consequences — leaving mothers to shoulder the burden. "We've certainly had complainants who said to them that this made them feel very unsafe, and they in fact withdrew from processes … rather than … [seek] to pursue unpaid child support." ombudsman Iain Anderson The issue is compounded by a tax system that assumes all payments have been made, even when they haven’t. This is a form of financial abuse, a key element of coercive control — which is now recognised as a criminal offence in NSW. Learn more about coercive control: 🔗 https://www.nsw.gov.au/family-and-relationships/coercive-control 📖 Read the full article: 🔗 https://amp.abc.net.au/article/105365544 If you are in need of support, please reach out. Family and domestic violence support: If you are in an emergency, please call 000 1800 RESPECT (available 24/7): 1800 737 732 https://www.1800respect.org.au Free and confidential national counselling service for sexual assault and DFV Link2Home (9am-10pm daily): 1800 152 152 Information and referral helpline for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless Lifeline (available 24/7): 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277 NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463 Call, chat or text availableRead moreRead less