Doncare
Supporting recovery from family violence since 2004
For over 20 years, Doncare has supported women and children to move beyond violence—through counselling, mentoring and community connection that rebuilds safety, confidence and independence.
DAWN Mentoring Program
One-to-one mentoring supporting women to rebuild confidence, independence and direction after family violence.
Get SupportSpecialist Family Violence Counselling
Free or low-cost trauma-informed counselling for women and children, supporting healing, safety and wellbeing.
Find HelpRecovery Groups
Safe, supportive group programs that foster connection, shared experience and recovery for women, children and teens.
Read MoreSaSSing Choir
A free, welcoming choir for women—bringing together survivors and supporters through music, connection and shared voice.
Join The ChorusLife was hard and lonely as I was in a new area and didn’t know anyone. Meeting my DAWN mentor has given me confidence which I lost due to my situation.
DAWN client
2021
When all the people and services that have been helping start to disappear it is very frightening, knowing you will have to make it on your own. It makes you anxious and scared. It was wonderful to have someone to rely on that cared and gave you, their time with out asking for any thing back.
DAWN Client
2021
She has allowed me to share my emotions, feelings and experiences knowing that she was there to listen. I was referred by Uniting Family Services.
DAWN client
2021
My Mentor helped me see that I had the strength to make decisions for my family
DAWN Client
2020
What is Family Violence?
Family violence is a pervasive form of abuse. It is a criminal offence and a breach of human rights. This insidious crime reaches across all communities, cultures, religions, ethnicity, social circles and age groups. It includes elder abuse, intimate partner violence in lesbian, gay or transgendered relationships and against people who are disabled.
Family violence is a complex phenomenon that encompasses a pattern of behaviour whereby a person intentionally and systematically uses violence and abuse to dominate, coerce, intimidate and victimise a person with whom they share or have shared an intimate partner relationship. Family violence is predominantly, but not exclusively, perpetrated by men against women.
Abusive behaviours may be physical, sexual, verbal, social, economic, psychological, emotional, and spiritual. Abusive behaviours can be direct or indirect, actual or threatened. The impacts and cost of family violence have been well documentedand it is the leading contributor to death, disability and ill-health in Australian women aged 15-44.
Family violence refers to abuse that occurs in the context of the family. Family violence is an abuse of the intimate, trusting and safe relationships that the concept "family" represents.
Abusive attitudes and behaviour impact children. Children who witness intimidation learn to intimidate. Kids who are exposed to emotional abuse learn to ridicule, insult and threaten. Violent attitudes lead to a cycle of intergenerational violence.
There is #noExcuseForAbuse and no justification for controlling behaviour.
Types Of Violence
Family violence is not always physical. It can take many forms and often involves a combination of behaviours over time. Source Adapted from the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Death Review Network Data Report (2018).
Intimate Partner Violence
A pattern of behaviour where one person uses abuse or violence to gain and maintain power over a current or former partner.
Psychological (Emotional) Abuse
Behaviours that undermine a person’s sense of self-worth and emotional wellbeing. This can include humiliation, intimidation, threats, manipulation, blaming, and controlling behaviour.
Spiritual Abuse
Using religion, faith or beliefs to control, manipulate or harm someone. This can include denying a person’s beliefs or using faith to justify abusive behaviour.
Sexual Abuse
Any unwanted or non-consensual sexual behaviour. This includes coercion, pressure, or forcing someone into sexual activity without consent.
Stalking and Technology-Facilitated Abuse
Persistent and unwanted behaviours that cause fear or intimidation. This includes following someone, monitoring their movements, repeated unwanted contact, or using technology to track, harass or impersonate them.
Physical Violence
Any act that causes physical harm or injury, with or without a weapon. This includes hitting, pushing, slapping, choking, kicking or restraining.
Economic Abuse
Controlling a person’s access to money, employment or financial resources to create dependence. This may include preventing someone from working, withholding money, or controlling all financial decisions.
Verbal Abuse
The use of words to harm, intimidate or control. This includes insults, threats, constant criticism and name-calling. (Often part of psychological abuse.)