The Women's Information Service (WIS) provides information to South Australian women online, over the phone and in person. We aim to increase access to information that promotes choice and empowerment.
You can talk to the Women's Information Service about:
- Family life and relationships
- Domestic/family violence, sexual assault and safety
- Health and wellbeing
- Accommodation and housing issues
- Financial security and independence
- Women's groups and events
- Education, training and career paths
- or anything at all...
They can discuss options and choices relevant to your individual situation.
- if you need help but don't know where to start
- if you aren't sure what services can assist you
- if you've tried everything you can think of
- if you just don't know where to go next
The Women's Information Service Haven and Children's Centre provides a safe local place where women can speak confidentially to trained volunteers, who can provide information, support, and referrals to appropriate services.
Call 000 if you are in immediate danger
Westpac's Domestic and Family Violence Protection is a service for Westpac customers experiencing family or domestic violence.
They may help in protecting or strengthening your financial independence, managing your finances safely if and when you leave, or rebuilding for a secure long-term future, as well as help you as you make decisions about your circumstances.
They can assist with:
Protecting your privacy (in line with their Privacy Policy)
- Changing your online banking login details, password and PINs to help protect the security of your information. This may not be appropriate in circumstances where a violent family member is controlling your finances using your details, and any change may be a threat to your safety.
- Changing arrangements for anything they may need to send to you, by you nominating the mailing address of a trusted family member or PO Box, or arrange for any new debit or credit cards to be delivered for collection at your local branch.
Protecting your money
- Remove or change your online banking access. This may not be appropriate in circumstances where this could cause a risk to your personal safety.
- Cancel any additional credit cards. A ‘primary’ credit cardholder is liable for any outstanding balances.
- Understanding your power of attorney arrangement, if you have one.
Maintaining or regaining control of your finances
- Giving you time and space, for example varying loan repayments and / or extending terms for short term financial relief until you are able to discuss your longer-term plans.
- Reviewing your banking needs, for example considering switching to a low rate credit card.
Safeguarding against abusive messages in payment transactions
Inbound payments
- Westpac is starting to roll out a tool enabling customers to report abuse and harassment received in payments transaction descriptions.
Outbound payments
- Westpac can monitor outgoing payments sent through its online and mobile banking platforms, which blocks certain transactions containing inappropriate or offensive language in real time.
Understanding your rights
- You may be able to obtain free legal advice from a community legal centre or Legal Aid office in your state or territory
Accessing other sources of information and support
The Whyalla Regional Domestic Violence Service provides a range of supports and related services to assist women and their children who have or are experiencing domestic or Aboriginal family violence, or are homeless or at risk of homelessness due to that violence. These programs include:
- Crisis Housing Program
- Transitional Housing Program
- Safe at Home
There is no fee for service, however, payment of rent is required for the housing programs.
Services provided
We deliver a range of services to women and their children who have, or are experiencing domestic or Aboriginal family violence. These include:
- Confidential intake
- Safety, risk and needs assessment
- Safety planning
- Referral to specialised housing programs with case management support
- Referral to other housing providers/options
- Advocacy
- Information
- Advice
For a confidential assessment please call 82156370.
The service operates 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays)
For after-hours crisis assistance please contact the Domestic and Aboriginal Family Violence Gateway on 1800 800 098 (freecall 24/7)
For immediate assistance contact police on 131 444 or 000
Where: Whyalla
The Women’s Domestic Violence Court Assistance Service is a specialist legal service providing support to women affected by domestic and family violence.
Operated by the Legal Services Commission, WDVCAS provides a range of services primarily relating to helping women apply for intervention orders and ending tenancy agreements.
Women can receive free legal assistance to navigate the Magistrates Court processes of applying for, varying, or revoking an intervention order. Assistance can also be provided in reporting breaches of an intervention order and in applying for relevant tenancy orders through the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT).
The service assists women throughout all of South Australia with legal practitioners available at multiple locations, allowing for accessible, comprehensive legal advice and assistance to be provided.
WDVCAS works closely with other services providing support to women experiencing domestic and family violence, and can refer clients to these services accordingly.
This phone line operates Monday – Friday 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Domestic Violence Crisis Line - 1800 800 098
Women’s Safety Services SA supports women and their children who are experiencing domestic and family violence.
They are an organisation committed to helping people find safety and support during and after experiencing abuse.
They have a range of programs and services that include:
- Working with Children and Young People
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Clients
- Women with Disability
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Clients
- LGBTIQ+ Communities
- Working with Pets and Service Animals
- Training: Online Learning and In-Person Training
They provide integrated responses to their clients through the provision of specialised, accessible and flexible models of service delivery that are:
- Informed by the lived experience of women and their children
- Responsive to the diversity of the lives of women and their children
- Easy to access
- Evidence-based and high-quality
- Engaged in effective strategic partnerships
- Strong in advocacy and Influence
- Supported by a sustainable organisation
Call 000 for emergency assistance
If you or someone you know is in need of help, please contact the Domestic Violence Crisis Line on 1800 800 098
If you would like to talk to someone confidentially about concerns in your relationship, you can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Yarredi provides a range of services that aim to support and empower clients. These services include;
- Specialist domestic and family violence counselling utilising a case management framework.
- Therapeutic Children’s Wellbeing Program and family liaison
- Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) - providing an avenue for a person who may be at risk of domestic violence to get information about their partner or former partner, to help make decisions about their safety and the future of the relationship.https://www.police.sa.gov.au/your-safety/dvds
- Community development initiatives, including group work, Healthy Relationships sessions in schools, and public speaking engagements.
Outreach
Support is not dependent upon accommodation, and workers will work with clients in safe locations suitable to the client.
Domestic violence counselling
Case workers are skilled and experienced in counselling for domestic violence, and Indigenous family violence.
Accommodation options
Case workers will assist with accommodation options that are available.
Children
Much importance is also placed on the needs of children who have witnessed/experienced domestic violence. Support is provided to mothers, and/or children may be referred to the Children’s Wellbeing Program.
Support
A range of supports are offered, including emotional and practical supports such as transport, and use of facilities.
Advocacy
Yarredi workers are familiar with working within the systems that exist in our communities and can assist with ‘navigation’ through these, and speak up for clients if their ‘voices’ are not being heard.
'Gateway' and referral services
Yarredi provides an entry point into a range of homelessness services. Referrals to other appropriate or complementary services or agencies will be a supported and ‘seamless’ process.
Information
Clients are empowered through the provision of a range of information to enable them to make informed decisions.