Department of Communities allocate funding to domestic and family violence online counselling for regions

DVassist, a provider of family and domestic violence support services in regional WA, has secured two years of funding from the Department of Communities, ensuring the continuation of counselling services for those in the country. The funding will assist the Mid West, allowing DVassist to extend telephone and online counselling services to men and women in the region. Covering 58 regional, rural, and remote shires in WA, DVassist focuses on supporting individuals who have faced family and domestic violence. DVassist chief executive Ella Ailenei emphasised the significance of prioritising recovery along with crisis intervention. “When services do not have the capacity to offer counselling for recovery and healing, the people they help can be left without support during their long-term recovery,” Ms Ailenei said. Ms Ailenei highlighted existing services primarily address immediate crises, leaving survivors without adequate long-term support. DVassist’s approach includes specialist multi-session counselling aimed at helping individuals rebuild their lives, including facilitating their return to work and community engagement, teaching financial independence, and social participation. Funding from the Department of Communities allows DVassist to offer its confidential telephone counselling services and live webchat support Monday to Thursday, from 8am to 8pm. These services are accessible via dvassist.org.au and through its counselling phone line at 1800 080 083.