Emotional space, physical space, time space.
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It's a common thread among the women who, when faced with the intimidating prospect of needing to get a court order, seek help with the process.
In Albury, they do that through the Southern Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service, one of 29 set-up across NSW by the state government.
"One of the things I'm seeing is that women victims of domestic relationship need space ... to think about what is happening, to understand particularly in the aftermath of the first incident or the 31st incident of domestic violence," service co-ordinator Robyn Mortlock said.
"That's about processing. It's about giving space to allow that to happen, to ensure that there's this support or links in place at a time when they need it."
NEED HELP?
- Emergency: 000
- DV Hotline: 1800 656 463
- Safe Steps: 1800 015 188
- Betty's Place Women's Refuge: 02 6058 6200 or 1900 885 355
- DV counselling: 1800 737 732
- Kids' Helpine: 1800 789 978
- MensLine: 1300 789 978
Ms Mortlock said the case management of these women to ensure they were able to take the most appropriate pathways for them was significant.
"Out of let's say a hundred DV reports, maybe 20 would flow to the court system," she said.
"Eighty would be reports in relation to an argument that a neighbour has reported right through to serious assault.
"And so in terms of case management, it's actually about providing, in a very safe space, that contact and support of one agency but also providing the links to and support of others."
OTHER LOCAL NEWS
Ms Mortlock said this case management was needed both at a crisis level and an individual level.
"I think schools are one of the key areas," she said.
"Not putting more work on to the Education Department and teachers, but schools are often one of the first meeting places for parents with kids.
"And so there can perhaps be interventions."
In the North East, Centre Against Violence also runs a court advocacy service and works closely with Hume Riverina Legal Service.
The service has specialist family lawyers provide advice, in CAV's offices, on everything from family law to decisions made in property settlements.
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