Domestic and Family Violence

Our Domestic Violence Management Plan outlines a long-term goal to reduce the rate of domestic violence assaults, increase awareness of domestic violence and encourage the city to take a stand and say NO to violence in Shellharbour. 

We hold a position of the Illawarra Committee against Domestic Violence (ICADV) and are actively involved in activities throughout the region.  

Family and domestic violence can be between people who are in many different relationships. The type of violence can be physical, emotional, sexual or financial.

If you are experiencing domestic violence there are people that can help you. Call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or 000 in case of an emergency.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 

Shellharbour City Council is proud to support the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence campaign. This international campaign commences on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends 10 December, Human Rights Day, indicating that violence against women is the most pervasive breach of human rights worldwide. The 2023 campaign theme is Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women & Girls. 

In 2022, we were announced as the first organisation nationally to be identified by White Ribbon Australia to receive support for the establishment of a community action group to help address gendered based violence.  The Shellharbour Council Community Action Group project forms part of the Fourth National Action Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-22 and was funded by the Department of Social Services.  Since its creation, the Shellharbour Community Action Group has been working to develop a community podcast series to explore and address the underlying causes of violence against women in an effort to prevent it before it begins.  

The podcast series, titled Agents for Change, was be released on Saturday 25 November 2023, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This day also marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.  

Agents for Change discusses the four main drivers of domestic violence. Developed in a panel-style format with the help of 50 local community members, the podcast explores the science and research behind gender stereotypes, unconscious bias, social experiments, and how they contribute to the prevalence of gender-based violence.  

The Agents for Change’ podcast series can be accessed via this page: Agents For Change - Home Page — coequal. Here you can learn more about the project and access episode blogs that discuss the drivers of gendered based violence. For more information, connections and resources about preventing violence against women: Our Watch home | Preventing violence against women and their children - Our Watch.