MORE HELP FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUFFERERS

The rate of family and domestic violence has risen with the onset of COVID-19, according to DVassist chief executive Greg Hebble.

“A WA Auditor General’s report has said that family assault and threatening behaviour are both 25 per cent higher than the three year average prior to the pandemic so it’s a bit of a concern,” he said.

He made the remarks after announcing increased funding to expand the online chat and telephone counselling service to all parts of the Pilbara.

“We’ve got a 1800 line, and we’ve also got a web chat facility,” he said. “Both of those are available from 7am til 12 midnight. That means that if anybody is in an abusive relationship or just wants to talk through the concept of ‘are they in one?’ or ‘are they not?’ they can phone one of our cousellors. Or they can go onto a web chat and talk to one of our counsellors about ‘what are the next steps’ and ‘what are those wrap-around services that are in your area’ and might be able to help them get through the process that they’re currently going through.”

The extension of the service takes in two additional shires across the Pilbara funded by Roy Hill and Atlas Iron.