BCH Women’s family violence counselling service

Family Violence, also known as Domestic Violence or Abuse, is any threatening, coercive, dominating, controlling or abusive behaviour that occurs between people in a current or past family, domestic or intimate relationship.  Family Violence can be subtle or overt and be behaviour that causes the person to feel fear. While Family violence can include physical and sexual abuse, it may also include emotional and psychological abuse, all of which are unhealthy and harmful.

The experience of family violence can have a detrimental impact on a woman’s life, such as ongoing health & wellbeing issues and/or her sense of autonomy & loss of identity.

Common issues and feelings that may arise for women include:

• Being overwhelmed by ongoing issues related to the family violence
• Feelings of guilt and shame
• Feelings of worthlessness and reduced self-esteem
• Anxiety/feeling unsafe & fearful
• Depression
• Trauma triggering
• Isolation from family & friends
• Relationship difficulties

How can counselling help?

• Counselling can provide a safe, non-judgemental space to understand your experiences and help you to manage and reduce the impact of those experiences.
• Our counsellors specialise in helping women recover from their experience of family violence

Family violence counselling is available Monday to Friday, 9:00-5:00pm. Counselling sessions are approximately one hour and made as required. For more information make an enquiry through the customer service menu to the right-hand side of your screen. Alternatively, call us directly on (03) 5338 4500.

Please note that waiting times may apply. This service is free.