SHE marks 25 years of supporting women affected by domestic violence

Specialist domestic violence counselling service SHE (Support, Help, and Empowerment) is celebrating 25 years of successfully supporting women affected by domestic violence. SHE will host a special lunchtime event at Parliament House on Tuesday 24 June to present SHE’s experience with domestic violence over the past 25 years.

SHE was established in response to the notorious Rory Jack Thompson case in which a local CSIRO scientist murdered his estranged wife. Horrified by the case, a group of concerned women established the service in the hope to provide a support service for women to prevent such tragedies.

25 years on and the service has counselled over 5000 women from a diverse range of backgrounds. ‘SHE plays a vital role in supporting women affected by domestic violence, whether it’s physical, sexual, emotional or psychological’ says Alina Thomas, SHE Executive Officer. ‘While domestic violence is now a more broadly talked about subject it is still a real issue for our society. We often have a waiting time of up to five weeks to see our counsellors and many women are still not reporting the issue or seeking assistance.’

Statistics on domestic violence remain alarming with 1 in 3 women experiencing physical violence since the age of 15 (ABS Personal Safety Survey 2005). Women are most likely to experience physical and sexual violence in their home, at the hands of a male current or ex-partner. Only one in three of these assaults are likely to be reported to the police and research estimate that between 6 and 20 incidents may have occurred before the police are contacted (Millbank, 2000). Sadly 89 women were killed in Australia by their current or former partner between 2008-10 – this equates to nearly one woman every week.*

Darren Hine, Tasmanian Police Commissioner will address attendees of the event on the issue of domestic violence. Presentations by SHE Executive Officer Alina Thomas and a local woman who has experienced domestic violence will explore the topic further.

SHE offers a free and confidential counselling and support service to women who have experienced abuse in an intimate relationship. The service also provides community based programs such as KYSS (Keep yourself safe and sane). SHE is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services. SHE can be contacted on (03) 6278 9090 or www.she.org.au *Statistics sourced from ANROWS (Australian National Research Organisation and Women’s Safety), the Australian Bureau and Statistics and Australian Institute of Criminology.
Alina Thomas, SHE – Support, Help and Empowerment