Need help? If you are in immediate danger, please call 000

Domestic and family violence occurs when someone who has a close personal relationship with you makes you feel afraid, powerless or unsafe. It can be physical, but can also be emotional and psychological. Anyone can experience domestic and family violence. It happens across communities, ages, cultures and sexes. Women are almost three times more likely than men to have experienced violence by a partner since the age of 15 (ABS, 2017).

Domestic violence takes many forms aiming to control, intimidate, terrify or coerce another person. It includes physical, sexual, verbal, psychological, mental, and emotional abuse. Also stalking, harassment, financial abuse and manipulation, denial of freedom or choice and control of access to family and friends. Council is committed to addressing domestic and family violence in our community.

Northern Beaches Domestic Violence Network

Northern Beaches Domestic Violence Network is an interagency which comprises representatives from local domestic violence services, local government, police and other stakeholders. Council have a pivotal role on this network to work in partnership with key services and community groups.

We work collaboratively to raise awareness and seek to use approaches that prevent domestic and family abuse within our local area. For more information please email.

Available Support

Domestic abuse doesn’t discriminate between race, gender, sexuality, culture or religion. Anyone can be affected.

In responding to issues relating to children, our Child Safety page suggests many resources offering advice and help. Keep Them Safe Family Referral Services (FRS) is a great starting point. Call 1800 066 757, 8am to 6pm weekdays or visit online.

For older people who are experiencing abuse, please call the Ageing & Disability Commission helpline (previously known as NSW Elder Abuse Helpline) on 1800 628 221 or visit their website.

These confidential hotlines are available 24hrs:

• 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
• Domestic Violence Crisis Line (1800 65 64 63)
• MensLine (1300 78 99 78)
• Men's Referral Service (1300 766 491)
• If you witness domestic violence, if you have concerns for the welfare or safety of a family member, friend, colleague or neighbour, please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

There are a number of local services that support people experiencing domestic abuse. Please follow the links for more information.

• Community Northern Beaches - Domestic and Family Violence Service
• Women and Children First (formerly Manly Warringah Women’s Resource Centre)

• Northern Beaches Women's Shelter (NBWS) is a community-funded, charitable organisation providing crisis and transitional accommodation, support, safety and outreach services for single adult homeless women across Sydney’s Northern Beaches. NBWS know the main factors leading to homelessness include physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse; family breakdown; financial strife; domestic violence; addiction; health or mental health issues and/or lack of affordable housing. Our goal is to identify and address the underlying root cause(s) of each individual woman’s homelessness, so that their lives are forever transformed for the better through their stay, and the benefits to their health, wellbeing and prospects are enduring. Phone: 02 9977 7772 or email: support@nbws.org.au

• Mary's House - Women's Domestic Violence Refuge North Shore
• Relationships Australia NSW - Family Relationship Centre Dee Why
• Relationships Australia - Men's Choice & Change
• Northern Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service

Resources

• If you are supporting someone who is experiencing domestic abuse, Insight Exchange have developed a resource, Follow My Lead to help you respond.
• twenty10 have a resource library available for LGBTIQ+ people, including Another Closet: LGBTIQ Domestic & Family Violence.
• MensLine have a tip sheet for men who are experiencing domestic abuse. 
• The Northern Sydney Domestic Violence Networks, in conjunction with NSW Police, have produced Domestic Violence is a Crime to provide Police and legal information. 
• Charmed and Dangerous is a resource from Legal Aid NSW for women who wish to reclaim a healthy relationship after experiencing domestic violence.