Domestic, Family & Sexual Violence
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If you are in immediate danger, please call emergency services on 000. If you have to quickly leave this page, click the exit button above.
All members of The Hills community deserve to be safe. If you are experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, there is help available for you and your family.
Emergency Services
- Police and Ambulance - 000
- Lifeline (24-hour Crisis Line) - 131 114
- 1800RESPECT - National information and support service - 1800 737 732 or text 0458 737 732.
- NSW Domestic Violence Line - Counselling and referral services - 1800 656 463.
If you know someone experiencing domestic or family violence, report it to one of the following operators
Local Support Services
- Lisa Harnum Foundation - Counselling and support - 1300 732 848.
- The Sanctuary, The Hills Women’s Shelter - Crisis accommodation and support - 02 9680 2653.
- Youth Rezolutions - Financial assistance, accommodation for youth (15-25 years) - 1300 889 855.
- Hills Community Aid - Peer support group and financial assistance - 02 9639 8620.
- Community Migrant Resource Centre – Domestic violence support - 02 9687 9901.
- Domestic Violence Service Management - Support services - 02 9251 2405.
- Women’s DV Court Advocacy Services – Support services - 02 8883 0922.
- KNC – Support Services - 02 9988 4966.
- Wesley Mission – Family Support Service for families with children (0-12 yrs) - 02 8887 4911.
For further information on local services, please visit the Community Information Directory.
Coercive Control
Coercive control is when someone deliberately hurts, scares or isolates another person in order to control them.
This form of abuse is characterised as a single instance or patterned behaviour. It can be physical or non-physical. It impacts an individual’s freedom and unreasonably controls their day-to-day activities.
Coercive and controlling behaviours include but are not limited to the following:
- Emotional abuse including shaming, harassing or degrading behaviours
- Financial and technological abuse
- Violence and intimidation including threats of violence
- Cultural and spiritual abuse
- Social isolation and limiting of freedom
- Sexual and reproductive abuse
- Child and animal abuse
Coercive control is not exclusive to particular kinds of relationships.
It can occur between:
- Individuals who may be casually dating
- Family members
- Co-residents
- Those in serious long-term relationships
Coercive control also considers behaviours towards a current or previous partner.
In any and all of its forms, coercive control is abuse that risks significant harm to its victim-survivors. Coercive control is often present in domestic and family violence.
From July 2024, coercive control has been made a criminal offence in NSW.
For more information and to learn about the signs of coercive control, please visit Coercive control | NSW Government.
Domestic & Family Violence
Domestic and family violence describes any behaviour exhibited by one person to another person with whom they have a domestic relationship.
It often, but not always, presents as a pattern of:
- Physical
- Sexual
- Emotional
- Economic
- Social and/or;
- Psychological actions (or threat of actions) that harm another person.
This includes any behaviours that aim to:
- Control
- Frighten
- Intimidate
- Manipulate
- Hurt
- Humiliate
- Blame
- Injure
- Wound
The neglect of children and other dependents is also considered domestic abuse.
This behaviour is understood as a strong misuse of power and control by one person over another in a relationship such as:
- Marriage
- Dating
- Family (including children towards a parent/carer)
- Cohabitation
Domestic and family violence is non-discriminatory. It can affect anyone in the community, regardless of their background.
Domestic and family violence has profound negative consequences for the lives of everyone and is punishable by law.
For further information, please visit the NSW Government's Domestic Violence webpage.
Sexual Violence
Sexual violence is an extreme violation of a person and is also a serious crime. Sexual violence can involve strangers or people you may know including:
- Current or former partners
- Friends
- Family
- Colleagues
- Carers or support workers
Sexual violence includes a variety of acts, including but not limited to the following:
- Any kind of sexual act that is non-consensual
- Distributing explicit media without consent
- Sexual coercing including pressuring a person into engaging in a sexual act/s that they don’t want to do
- Using sexually degrading insults and criticisms
- Harassment of a sexual nature
Sexual violence is most often perpetrated by men against women. However, the behaviour is indiscriminate and can impact anyone regardless of gender, sexual identity, race, age, culture, ethnicity, religion, disability or economic status.
Sexual violence and instances of assault can be reported to the police if the victim-survivor wishes to.
For further information on sexual violence and the importance of consent based prevention, please visit the NSW Government's Sexual Violence webpage and the Australian Government's Consent Can't Wait webpage.
Council's Role
The Hills Shire Council supports and promotes local initiatives that challenge disrespectful behaviours. We strive to foster the elimination of abuse and promote respectful relationships.
These include:
Being an active member of the Hills Domestic Violence Prevention Network
With over 30 years of operation, the Network works together to create relevant anti-domestic abuse initiatives. It helps promote and share resources. Council participates in all the Network's annual events which focus on:
- Education
- Awareness raising
- Acknowledging those lost to domestic and family violence
Providing financial support to local and front-line not-for-profit organisations. Specifically for programs aimed at reducing rates of domestic violence
In 2024, Council awarded $70,000 to The Sanctuary and the Lisa Harnum Foundation. The grant was for their work in supporting those facing domestic and family violence in our local community.
Partnering with key local stakeholders to develop and publicise a high-visibility domestic violence awareness campaign
In 2023, Council partnered with the Hills Domestic Violence Prevention Network and the Hills Police Area Command. The partnership was for the ‘Stop Domestic Violence’ campaign. Posters and signboards were placed in prominent community spaces including shopping centres and main roads.
Curating and maintaining the community information directory database to provide residents and community members with localised resources and services relevant to family and domestic violence.
If you would like more information on Council’s role, please contact Council’s Community Development Team via comminfo@thehills.nsw.gov.au.