Women in Lismore and surrounding areas will benefit from improved access to domestic violence and sexual assault support services, with a $130,000 funding boost for Northern Rivers Women and Children’s Services Incorporated (Norwacs).

Norwacs is a community-based charity which provides trauma informed care and services to support women’s health and wellbeing.

Kelly Banister, the CEO of Norwacs is pleased about the news as she understands the depth of the issues and community need.  

“We were so pleased to get the news, because there's such a need in our community, given the rates of domestic and family violence. This is a much welcome boost. 

“We're working on a collaborative project at the moment, the non fatal strangulation project. We've been alarmed at the rates of strangulation, non fatal strangulation, that's very common in domestic and family violence.”

This kind of violence has gone unrecognised and often unidentified which can lead to acquired brain injury that the victim is unaware of.

Ms Banister says that, “The rates of domestic and family violence in our region are significantly above the New South Wales average, and they've increased by more than 12% again over the last three years.”

This work will complement the significant efforts led by NSW Health Northern NSW Sexual Assault Services in supporting victim-survivors of violence in the region. 

MP Janelle Saffin sees the benefit of the funding in the community.

“I welcome this extra funding for NORWACS that recognises its great work supporting the health and safety of local women and children.

“NORWACS is working to educate the community about the serious risk of brain injury from non-fatal strangulation and is identifying gaps in diagnosis and treatment and delivering training for GPs and health workers to get them up to speed on this issue.

 “The extra funding will also allow NORWACS to increase its hours of vital DV outreach work in our region.”

The Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison adds to this sentiment.

“The NSW Government is pleased to support NORWACS, which has provided confidential, compassionate health and wellbeing assistance for women in the Lismore region for more than 25 years.”

“In addition, their work with other health professionals and services, including the four NSW Health Sexual Assault Services in the area, improves awareness and promotes understanding of the impacts of sexual, family and domestic violence.”

The Regional Health Minister, Ryan Park, sees women’s health as a priority, “As Minister for Health, it is one of my priorities to ensure we’re improving access to healthcare services for women, especially vulnerable members of the community who may be impacted by domestic violence.”

The NSW Government says they are committed to strengthening relationships between primary care, community-based care and the public health system to develop robust local referral pathways and responses for women.