Family, domestic and sexual violence (FDSV) often results in long-term mental health impacts that require sustained, trauma-informed support, yet most services remain crisis-focused and difficult to navigate.
A new trauma-informed recovery service is being piloted by WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) in our Country WA Primary Health Network (PHN) region to provide long-term psychological therapies for women and children impacted by FDSV.
The Supporting Recovery pilot will deliver up to two years of free, trauma-informed therapies in Geraldton, supported by a small care team providing intake, assessment and case management.
WA Primary Health Alliance Executive General Manager Commissioned Services, Mark Cockayne says WAPHA is delighted to be partnering with Ruah Community Services and 360 Health and Community to deliver a service designed specifically for long-term recovery from family, domestic and sexual violence.
Our Supporting Recovery pilot represents a significant step forward in providing FDSV victim-survivors with the integrated and accessible recovery care they need to help them to heal over time.”
Recognising that recovery is not linear, the model is designed to support victim-survivors to continue their healing throughout the recovery journey.
Ruah Community Services and 360 Health and Community have been commissioned by WAPHA to deliver two complementary service types in Geraldton, promoting sustained recovery and addressing trauma-related mental health conditions for victim-survivors of FDSV.
CEO of Ruah Community Services, Debra Zanella says the impacts of family, domestic and sexual violence are profound, and recovery takes time.
“This new service pilot will give people the opportunity to access long-term, trauma-informed support in their own community, something that has been missing for far too long.”
“Ruah is proud to work alongside 360 Health and Community and WA Primary Health Alliance to bring this important service to Geraldton, helping our regional community rebuild their wellbeing, safety and confidence.”
360 Health + Community CEO, Mark Slattery says they are proud to be one of six pilot sites in this national program, providing much needed mental health therapies to victim‑survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence in Geraldton and the Mid‑West region
“This opportunity enables us to stand alongside victim‑survivors as they navigate their path to healing and recovery. By recognising recovery as a pillar in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, it highlights that healing is a long‑term process that must be individually tailored to each person’s journey.”
“We look forward to partnering with Ruah Community Services, who will deliver case management and referral services through their local care team. This collaborative partnership will ensure victim‑survivors not only receive coordinated support, but also the compassion and guidance needed to rebuild their lives.”
This pilot reflects the joint commitment of the Australian Government and the WA State Government, working together under a renewed five-year National Partnership Agreement on FDSV Responses with Western Australia.
Developed by an expert panel on behalf of the Australian Government, the Supporting Recovery model includes a no wrong door approach to local care coordination and therapeutic services, embedded within existing community pathways.
The Australian Government has selected WAPHA’s Country WA PHN as one of six PHNs nationally to establish a Supporting Recovery pilot, delivering long-term, trauma-informed psychological therapies for victim-survivors.
Following extensive needs assessment, Geraldton was selected as the most viable location for the pilot in Country WA, as it offered the best balance between community needs and service capacity.
WAPHA will continue to work with local stakeholders to maximise the outcomes of this initial pilot in Geraldton and establish a scalable model to provide more communities with access to free, long-term trauma-informed mental health care.
Find out more about the work undertaken by WAPHA in our Perth South PHN to strengthen primary care responses to FDSV. This activity is supported by funding from WA Primary Health Alliance through the Australian Government’s PHN Program.