A discreet, informative guide to assist people affected by domestic violence has been launched by South West support service, Waratah.
The creation of the Safety Plan Guide was made possible by the Bunbury Runners Club Women’s Fun Run committee, who donated $6000 to the South West Refuge and Waratah.
The guide offers step-by-step advice on how to leave a violent domestic situation.
Waratah patron Dr Ann O’Neill visited the region to promote the guide’s release.
In 1994, Dr O’Neill lost her two children in an act of domestic violence at the hands of her estranged husband.
Dr O’Neill was also shot in the ordeal and required half of her right leg to be amputated.
Her estranged husband fatally turned the gun on himself in front of her.
Since then, she has become an advocate for trauma survivors.
She praised the creation of the guide and said it was an incredibly useful tool for those in a family violence situation.
“The great thing about this is, when you are living that, it is go or it is stay, they are the choices you have and you are actually in trauma.
“When you are in a state of trauma, your brain doesn't go to thinking place, so your problem solving is really limited.
“Something like this is very simple - this is how you begin to think about getting safe, these are the steps, these things you can do – it is a really gentle way to get people to start thinking about how to be safe.”
Waratah, which was formed in 1981, provides free intervention services for people who have experienced sexual assault, sexual abuse or family domestic violence.
The organisation operates sites in Busselton, Bunbury and Collie.
Waratah chief executive officer Trudi Ruane said there had been a ‘phenomenal amount’ of need for their service in 2018.
“We have seen a 16 per cent increase in counselling,” she said.
“We saw 1681 individual clients, that’s not how many times we saw them.
“We provide a of a lot of crisis counselling. We are funded for the South West but we don’t cut people off because they’ve travelled. We provide a lifeline for life – as long as a person feels they need assistance.”
The card will be provided to Waratah clients and is likely to be made available at other community services.
Government organisations have already expressed interest in ordering the cards.
Vasse MLA Libby Mettam said family and domestic violence were a real part of every community and our region was not immune
“It is something very real, in the lives and homes of people we know,” she said.
“What’s wonderful about the Safety Plan Guide is how accessible and simple it is. It is putting the message out there in community, it is not something that is hidden or something people need to search for.”
For more information on Waratah’s services, visit waratah.asn.au or call the support centre on 9791 2884.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
