DVassist (formerly Breaking the Silence) is an organisation I founded to support men, women and young adults who live in rural areas and are experiencing family and domestic violence. I’m so passionate about helping people in this area, I put my own money into starting this organisation before lobbying the Federal Government for a grant to continue the work I started.
DVassist has been created by me, as a rural woman for rural people. Life is so different out here to what it is like in the city. I’ve lived in the country all my life, so I know. We are here to help, with information, resources and practical support for those experiencing, or concerned about others who may be experiencing, domestic and family violence.
In September 2020, we launched a comprehensive website which explains what domestic and family violence is. It is not just physical violence. Domestic and family violence can often be hard to define and understand. Behavioural abuse, emotional abuse and psychological abuse can all be forms of domestic and family violence. This website is a resource to help you learn more about domestic and family violence, and to connect you to local domestic and family violence help.
If you require help, please go to our site at www.dvassist.org.au. This site is available to anyone.
In October 2020, we launched our telephone counselling services—if you call, you will speak to a qualified domestic violence counsellor who understands the unique challenges of living in rural areas.
Our counselling services are available Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Please call 1800 080 083. (Also be aware the counselling services are only for those in WA at this time. Expansion into other states will happen over the next few years.)
If you would like to donate to DVassist we would be so grateful. You can do so by visiting the DVassist website and clicking on the donate button.
As Founder of DVassist, I’m proud to be able to help people across rural communities who need this type of assistance. One person experiencing family or domestic violence is one too many.