Child Support

Children are affected by their experience of Domestic Violence either by witnessing abuse to their mother or siblings or by experiencing the abuse themselves or seeing the physical injuries.

How children react to the abuse will vary from child to child. Refuges aim to meet the individual needs of each child by working with both the mother and child.

Abuse can be verbal, psychological, physical emotional or sexual.

Refuges employ Child Support workers whose primary focus is to support children.

Support, advocacy, information and referral to specialist services, e.g. Health Department, Preschools, specialised  counselling,  are provided as well as programs that incorporate play  activities. We endeavour to give children the opportunity to express their feelings, build self esteem and learn coping and protective behaviour skills.

A wide and varied range of support is available including assistance with school/educational issues, parenting, transport, advocacy and support to appointments etc.

Specific indoor and outdoor play areas are provided as well as play equipment. We aim to provide a safe, warm and child friendly environment to meet the needs of children of all ages and cultures.

Art work produced by year 10 students at Toormina High School in 2005 Lovebites Program.