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Addressing the need

Addressing the need

Family and domestic violence is a national emergency in Australia and gender-based violence is on the rise, particularly in Western Australia. Victims, and the whole community, pay an enormous price and the current approach isn’t working.

In our country, one woman is killed every week by her current or former partner. Thousands more are hospitalised. It is a major contributor to illness, disability and premature death for women aged 18 to 44 and it costs our State around $2.8 billion each year.

Children who experience violence are more likely to be victims or perpetrators as adults. And supports for children and young people to address the long-term impact of family and domestic violence are almost non-existent.

No matter how you measure it, the problem is endemic:

  • WA has the highest rates of FDV-related assaults in the country (65%; 22,257), and the largest increase in sexual assaults (10% to 3,048 in 2020-21 – a new and shameful record for any Australian jurisdiction).
  • In WA, family assault offences have jumped by more than 10,000 in less than 10 years – from around 13,300 in 2012-13 to almost 23,800 in 2020-21.
  • One in four women across Australia have experienced violence from an intimate partner.
  • Children who experience violence are more likely to be victims or perpetrators as adults.
  • 56% of youth homelessness cases are linked to family and domestic violence. And supports for children and young people to address the long-term impact of family and domestic violence are almost non-existent.
  • In 2016, KPMG estimated that the total cost of violence against women and their children was at least $22 billion to the national economy annually.

We must all take a stand

The new Ruah Centre for Women & Children will bring not-for-profit organisations and government agencies together in a purpose-built space that will act as an incubator for collective impact, where new solutions emerge and new resources are developed to help the most vulnerable people in our community.

Family and domestic violence is everyone’s business.

Give now and join us in taking a stand that will reshape lives.

Connection and courage the key for Sheree

As one of Ruah’s first domestic violence advocates Sheree is committed to using her experience to educate younger generations about healthy relationships and to empower other women and men to get out and build a better life.
You see, Sheree knows the cycle of domestic violence all too well. She witnessed her mother’s abuse for many years from when she was just seven-years of age. At 16, she found her ‘soulmate’ and without being aware of it at the time, entered her own abusive relationship.

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