Violence, abuse and neglect services in Southern NSW

Our goal is to help parents and carers create a safe and nurturing family environment for children and young people.

The Child Protection Counselling Service (CPSC) is a child and family service that works with infants, children, young people, and their families or carers when NSW Family and Community Services (FACS) has identified a child at risk of significant harm due to violence, abuse, or neglect.

The service offers counselling, casework, family work, advocacy, and, when necessary, Court preparation and support for children and their families or carers.

Referral information

Referrals to the Child Protection Counselling Service are made by Community Services (Family and Community Services or FaCS), Joint Child Protection Response Program (JCPRP), or Children's Court.

Child Protection Education is a program aiming to educate children, parents, and educators about child abuse and neglect. It teaches kids how to recognise and report abuse, while guiding parents and educators in identifying signs of abuse and taking appropriate action.

In NSW, Child Protection Education is compulsory and is part of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Personal Development, Health, and Physical Education (PDHPE) K-10 Syllabus, taught from Kindergarten to Year 10.

Child Wellbeing Coordinators (CWCs) work in Local Health Districts to help improve systems and enhance the capabilities of the districts in responding to the needs of vulnerable children and families.

CWCs assist Health Services in meeting their responsibilities related to recognising and addressing child safety, welfare, and wellbeing concerns. This includes sharing information with other workers. They are available to consult with and provide advice and education to health service managers and workers.

Coordinators serve as a vital link to other agency Child Wellbeing Units, offering information on local health services and aiding other agencies in identifying referral pathways into health services. They may also play a role in facilitating Chapter 16A information exchange between other agency Child Wellbeing Units and Health Services when there's uncertainty about whom to contact in NSW Health.

We are dedicated to reducing domestic and family violence in our community and lessening its impact on health.

If you need help for domestic and family violence, contact your local Emergency department for urgent medical assistance, or call Community Health Central Intake Service on 1800 999 880 and request to see a social worker.

We address domestic and family violence through the Domestic Violence Routine Screening (DVRS) program, Social Work services, Emergency Departments, Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol services, Aboriginal Family Health services, and by participating in Safety Action Meetings (SAMs).

Violence affects the physical, psychological, and social health of many women and children in NSW. Globally, 30% of women who have been in a relationship have experienced physical, emotional abuse, financial abuse, social abuse, and/or sexual violence by their partner.

Referral information

To refer to Safety Action Meetings (SAMs), complete the Domestic Violence Safety Assessment Tool (DVSAT). If the threat is serious, make a referral to the local Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service using the SAM referral form.

To report suspected child abuse, neglect, or child sexual assault, call the 24-hour Child Protection Helpline at 13 21 11.

The Joint Child Protection Response Program (JCPRP) is dedicated to offering a seamless service to children and young people at risk of significant harm due to sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme neglect.

JCPRP's role involves conducting joint investigations of statutory child protection matters requiring a criminal justice response. The JCPRP model aims to achieve better outcomes for vulnerable children, young people, and their non-offending family members by providing coordinated safety, justice, and health responses.

JCPRP Health staff are responsible for delivering an integrated medical and psycho-social response to JCPRP clients who are victims of sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme neglect.

Referral information

JCPRP receives referrals for investigation and follow-up through the 24-hour Child Protection Helpline, reachable at 13 21 11.

Service contacts

The Out-of-Home Care Pathway is a health service that works with Family and Community Services and Non-Government Organisations to help children and young people entering out-of-home care.

This Pathway collects medical information, assesses health status, and determines the need for monitoring, referral, and review to identify and treat any health problems as early as possible.

Various healthcare providers, like GPs, Aboriginal Medical Services, and child and family health nurses, conduct Primary Health Screenings and assessments. Depending on the results, children and young people may be referred for a comprehensive health assessment.

Referral information

Referrals are accepted only from Southern NSW Family and Community Services offices. The referral criteria include:

• the child is aged 0 to 17 years and entered statutory out-of-home care on or after 1 July 2010
• the child must be under the parental responsibility of the minister
• the child must be placed within NSW
• the child is likely to remain in care for longer than 90 days.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, seeking professional help is crucial. You're not alone – our Sexual Assault Services offer free and confidential support.

Our services include information, counselling, court support, medical treatment, and forensic examinations for anyone who has been sexually assaulted. Doctors can also receive specialist advice for providing medical care in such cases.

If you've experienced sexual assault, support is available. Visit the Emergency Department at local hospitals for access to appropriate medical and counselling support.

Sexual assault is a crime, involving forced or coerced sexual acts. Child sexual assault occurs when an adult takes advantage of a child's trust for sexual activity.

Sexual assault affects a person's body, senses, emotions, and overall well-being. Its effects can be serious and long-lasting, including shock, fear, shame, guilt, and various emotional and physical challenges.

Referral information

If you're under 16 and have experienced sexual assault, report it to the Child Protection Helpline at 13 21 11. The Joint Response Unit will review the report and decide if it should go to the Joint Child Protection Response Program (JCPRP) for investigation. JCPRP will coordinate with the sexual assault service if needed.

If you're over 16, you don't have to report to the Police to get support from a NSW Health Sexual Assault Service.

Key contact

NSW Rape Crisis

• Phone: 1800 424 017

Service contacts

Bourke Street Health Service

• Phone: (02) 6150 7857
• Email: gemma.evans@health.nsw.gov.au