ABOUT NARDINE
The refuge offers individualized case management to parents, children, and young people, aiming to mitigate the harmful effects of domestic violence, promoting the well-being of those affected. Services include advocacy, referral to multicultural services, assistance in finding short or long-term housing, counseling for women and children, support for legal proceedings, financial counseling, and access to food and clothing.
Additionally, Nardine has partnered with RSPCA WA for the Pets in Crisis program, ensuring that pets belonging to families seeking refuge are cared for in foster facilities until permanent, safe accommodation can be arranged.
Nardine Women’s Refuge operates as a communal living environment where clients have their own bedrooms and share other facilities. The focus is on providing a supportive and empowering environment where families can rebuild their lives free from violence.
If you need assistance, please contact the Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline on 1800 007 339 or 1800RESPECT
If you require immediate help
If you sense an immediate threat to yourself or your children, don’t hesitate—call 000 or visit the nearest police station. Domestic Violence situations can be unpredictable, and you have the right to live safely and free from violence.
As soon as you start to think about leaving, you need to take extra care to stay safe. For example, if you printed out this information, it’s safer to keep it in the hands of a trusted friend than at home.
The more prepared and supported you are, the safer leaving can be.
Here are some tips that may be helpful. Keep in mind that this information is not official legal advice.
- Learn about your rights and get support from free online resources.
- Think about getting a FVRO – (Family Violence Restraining Order).
- Talk to the police or DV hotline about whether this might be a good idea for you.
- If you get a FVRO, always keep a copy with you. Give copies of it and a photo of your partner to your children’s school and your workplace. (Front desk or security employees can use it to prevent your partner from entering.)
- Collect evidence.
For example, take pictures of bruises or broken objects. And take screen shots of threatening texts or missed calls.
Create a safety plan
- Assess Your Situation: When an argument occurs, go to an identified safe place, try to have a phone available at all times, understand the risks and patterns of abuse and identify safe spaces within your community.
- Emergency Contacts: Memorize or write down emergency numbers (police, Domestic violence hotline, friends, family). Set up a code word with trusted contacts to signal danger.
- Escape Routes: Plan how to leave quickly and safely and practice this plan. Know where to go (Police , friend’s house, etc.) and think about what you’ll do if your partner confronts you. Make or arrange plans for pets.
- Pack Essentials: Gather important documents (IDs, medical records, see checklist.). Pack a bag with clothes, toiletries, and necessities and leave it with someone you trust. See the below section, “What should you take with you?”, for more information.
- Communication Plan: Share your plan with someone you trust and use a secret signal or phrase with children.
- Safety at Home: Hide a spare key outside and keep a charged phone nearby.
- Safety Outside: Vary routines and use public transportation or Taxi/Uber services.
After leaving a domestic violence situation
We recommend these crucial steps to ensure your safety:
- Change Locks and Phone Number: If possible, change the locks on your doors and your phone number, or consider getting an unlisted number.
- Alter Work Hours and Routes: Change your work hours if feasible and vary the route you take to get there.
- Alert School Authorities: Inform your children’s school about the situation/provide them with relevant details.
- Change Passwords: Log out of all accounts and update your usernames and passwords. Choose strong, unique passwords that your abuser won’t guess!
- Privacy Settings: Review privacy settings on social media & other accounts. Set social media profiles to private and block your abuser where necessary.
- Check for Spyware: The police can assist you in checking for spyware after leaving a domestic violence relationship. Additionally, there are organizations that provide services to sweep your home and motor vehicles for any recording devices. If any recording devices are found, they should be provided to the police.
What should you take with you?
- Identification for yourself and your children: Can include but not limited to, Birth certificates, Social Security cards (or numbers written on paper if you can’t find the cards), Driver’s license, Photo identification or passport, Welfare identification, and Green card
- Important personal papers: Can include but not limited to, Marriage certificate, Divorce papers, Custody orders, Legal protection or restraining orders, Health insurance papers and medical cards, Medical records for all family members, Children’s school records, Investment papers/records and account numbers, Work permits, Immigration papers, Rental agreement/lease or deed to your home, Car title, registration, and insurance information, or Records of police reports you have filed, or other evidence of abuse
- Funds: Such as Cash, Credit cards, ATM card, or your Checkbook and bankbook (with deposit slips)
- Keys: to your Home, Car, Safety deposit box or post office box
- A way to communicate: Including contact information for friends/relatives, Mobile phone or Personal laptop computer
- Medicines: At least 1 month’s supply for all medicines you and your children are taking, as well as a copy of the prescriptions
- A way to get by: Jewelry or small objects you can sell, if you run out of money or stop having access to your accounts
- Things to help you cope: Pictures, Keepsakes, Children’s small toys or books. Pack a bag with clothes, toiletries, and necessities
Additional Resources
Remember, you’re not alone. Reach out to local resources for support and guidance.
- 1800RESPECT(1800 737 732) – A national helpline open 24/7 to support people impacted by sexual assault, FDV and abuse.
- Crisis Care(1800 199 008) – WA’s after-hours response helpline is available 24/7 if you are in crisis and need urgent help.
- Sexual Assault Crisis Line(1800 199 888) – For recent sexual assaults (in the last 2 weeks) and crisis counselling 8:30am to 11pm, 7 days a week.
- Mental Health Emergency Response Line(1300 555 788) – A 24hr phone service for people in the Perth metro area experiencing a mental health crisis.
For more information regarding Nardine Wimmin’s Refuge – you can visit the Centre For Women’s Safety and Wellbeing Website
Midland Women’s Health Care Place
MWHCP acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Western Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respect to them and their cultures; and to elders both past, present and emerging. Ngala kaaditj Wadjuk moort keyen kaadak nidja boodja – We acknowledge Noongar people as the original custodians of the land on which our office sits.