WRISC offers a free, confidential support and information service to women and children in the Central Highlands Region. Interpreter services are available if required. WRISC workers use a strengths based approach when working with women and children, the basis of this is respecting women’s opinions, culture, and customs. Workers will provide information and support to help women make their own decisions about safety planning, finances, housing, legal issues, children’s needs and health issues.

Case Management

Case management is undertaken by WRISC workers to address the specific needs of all women who engage with WRISC. Women who experience family violence may require assistance, support or referral to access safety planning, legal advice, housing, counseling, financial or other relevant services. The workers offer information to women to enable them to decide what support suits their needs they have identified.

Outreach Service

WRISC can travel and work with women’s in the Shires of Ballarat, Pyrenees, Moorabool, Golden Plains and Hepburn (Subject to time availability). This includes the townships of Bacchus Marsh, Beaufort, Bannockburn and Daylesford. Appointments can then be booked through the Ballarat office. Appointments are generally for the duration of one hour. The support timeframe is on average a period of 13 weeks.

WRISC is a part of the Integrated Family Violence Network and workers are able to refer women to appropriate and specialised services. Services may include housing services, drug and alcohol, counseling, mental health, medical, legal and financial services.
Emotional support

WRISC support workers provide an opportunity for women and children to talk about their situation. Workers provide non-directive support and aim to empower women to make informed choices. WRISC offers a safe and comfortable environment to enable women to explore their experiences of family violence.

Indigenous Family Violence Support

WRISC has an Indigenous Support Worker to provide culturally sensitive support. The Indigenous Support Worker can meet with women at the WRISC office or a location of her choice; this may include the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative or another safe place.
Support Groups

Support groups offer women opportunities to share their learning, knowledge, and journey with other women who may have had similar experiences. Support groups offer women the opportunity to develop friendships and talk about their experiences of family violence in a safe environment.

WRISC workers co- facilitate women’s support groups throughout the year.
Please contact WRISC for further information on 53333666

Children’s Program

Children who live in a home where family violence occurs may be at risk of significant harm. The WRISC children’s worker provides information and support to women and children who have experienced family violence. The way we work with children is determined by their age, developmental stage and family circumstances. The worker is able to work with children individually or in family groups. The children’s worker works collaboratively with other agencies to provide creative therapeutic groups for children who have witnessed or experienced family violence.

The Code of Practice for Specialist Family Violence services for women and children (Domestic Violence Victoria (2006) guides the children’s worker.