North Shire Times: Shelter Faces a Battle

SYDNEY’S north shore is home to the lowest reported rates of domestic violence and apprehended domestic violence orders (ADVOs) in NSW, but the only women’s shelter in the region still has to turn people away.

There were 202 domestic assaults recorded across Willoughby (69), Lane Cove (33) and Ku-ring-gai (100) last year, just one less than in 2013, the latest Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research data shows.

While the official rate is low one women’s shelter in Hornsby has been forced to turn away 70 women since February.

And despite seeing 500 women in a 12 month period, a domestic violence advocacy group has reported less women are taking these serious issues to court.

Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury chief executive Wendy Carver said last year more than 98,000 crisis calls were answered at their Gordon office alone.

“(Lifeline) often support women and children leaving DV situations,” Ms Carver said.

For example, a woman from the north shore, came to their Gordon office when she was released from hospital after her partner seriously injured her. She had an ADVO against him.

“She presented with three children and among other things, her arm in a sling after having a number of fingers cut off,” Ms Carver said.

“We provided emergency relief for petrol and food and referrals for support so she could flee interstate, to a confidential new address.

“This is not uncommon.”

Manager of the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter Inayet Erol said they had turned away about 70 women and have had a full house since opening in mid-February this year.

The shelter provides crisis accommodation for up to three months for 10 women at a time.

“We are completely community funded and we have no government support for this shelter, which is ridiculous really when you read the crime statistics and when you see what’s going on in the country,” Ms Erol said.

“We’ve turned away a lot of women due to the fact we are full and at capacity, and there is nowhere really for them to go. ”

One of the biggest challenges for women at the shelter is finding their next destination when the three months are up. “Having some affordable housing or options for women to be housed is really the main issue,” Ms Erol said.

“We need government support. We are picking up the slack for government particularly when we take women from out of the area and the people of Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai are funding this.”

Co-ordinator of the Northern Sydney Womens Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service Josie Gregory said more than 500 women were seen between July 2014 and December 2014 but there less women taking action in court.

“There are less ADVOs granted here because they are defended by barristers and solicitors here (on the north shore). It can be quite intimidating to be told ‘we’re bringing in barristers’,” Ms Gregory said.

Many women stay on the north shore because they can’t afford to move and they fear if they get an ADVO out against their partner it means they need to move but that’s not the case, Ms Gregory said.

“The women in this area want to keep their kids in the same school and they want to live in the same area but there is no affordable accommodation here.”

Federal Bradfield MP Paul Fletcher said there was an assumption in relatively wealthy areas such as the north shore that no problems existed. “That can make it even more difficult for women who need crisis shelter or are exposed to domestic violence,” he said.

“One of the factors behind establishing the Hornsby shelter — as the organisers explained to me — is there was no suitable facility in our area.”

North Shore LAC crime co-ordinator Sergeant Scott Horwood said recent campaigns and media attention have encouraged more people to report domestic violence to police.

“This earlier reporting has helped some victims come forward before their situation escalates into a physical assault,” Sergeant Horwood said. “Police can help at the early stages to stop things getting out of control and can put measures in place … including referral to relationship counselling or if necessary a police-issued ADVO.

“There have also been more reports from the community who have heard the message that domestic violence should not be tolerated,” he said.

Ms Carver said the emotional and personal costs of violence to the victims could not be measured.

“Anyone can experience domestic violence — female and male, rich and poor, young and old, across all cultures, religious beliefs and places,” she said.

“People living on the north side of Sydney are no exception and it is important to realise there are no boundaries when domestic violence is concerned.”

The Numbers:

● Average of 24,605 ADVOs issued in NSW from 2009-13

● Lowest and highest rates of ADVOs per 100,000 residents in 2013: Mosman (46), Ku-ring-gai (50) and Lane Cove (83). Highest was in regional areas like Walgett (2373); in Sydney: Campbelltown (516)

● Lowest domestic assault rates per 100,000 in 2014: Ku-ring-gai (87), Willoughby (96) and Lane Cove (99). Highest in 2014: Bourke (4000), and in Sydney: Blacktown (629)

Details: Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Womens Shelter, hkws.com.au. Or Lifeline — call 13 11 14.

First published in the North Shore Times: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/north-shore/sydneys-north-shore-records-nsws-lowest-domestic-violence-rate-but-womens-shelters-at-capacity/story-fngr8h9d-1227313489312