Recently Beck Rayner from the Military Wife Life community, recorded a powerful podcast with an ADF partner who escaped from a difficult family situation several years ago, and with another ADF partner who is a domestic violence worker.
The podcast is available on podcast apps and at https://militarywifelife.com.au/podcast/
The podcast is brutally honest and tells the story of how the partner managed to eventually get out of the relationship.
The ADF partner who is the domestic violence worker shares her observations and tips for supporting someone who might be in this situation.
We would like to share this podcast with our community today in the hope that it helps someone.
It might be someone you know; it might be you.
One of the least desirable things to come from being in lockdown is an increase in family and domestic violence.
Sometimes being at home is just not the safest place to be. The Defence community is not immune to this.
No one should ever have to feel disrespected or unsafe in any relationship.
The Defence Family and Domestic Violence Strategy 2017–2022 sets out the Defence’s objectives and key areas of focus and principles and aims to ensure the safety of those subjected to, or affected by the use of, family and domestic violence.
Please know that there is help available.
1800RESPECT 1800 737 732 is the national domestic violence counselling service. It is continuing to operate as per usual during the COVID-19 health emergency.
You can also go to the 1800 RESPECT website and chat with someone online. The website also contains a lot of practical advice and resources such as safety planning and violence and the law.
The Defence Family Helpline 1800 624 608 is staffed by human service professionals (including social workers and psychologists) who are trained and experienced in supporting ADF families.
The Helpline is a part of the Defence Community Organisation (DCO). DCO can assist with safety planning, providing advice on entitlements for a removal following a breakdown of a relationship and provide temporary ‘safe house’ accommodation for the dependants of ADF members in situations of family and domestic violence, where the family members cannot remain in the home and have no available alternatives for accommodation.
https://www.defence.gov.au/DCO/emergency.asp
Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling 1800 011 046 is a free counselling service available to ADF families.
Open Arms have access to crisis accommodation for ADF members and families should you need to leave an unsafe situation.
https://www.openarms.gov.au/get-support/crisis-accommodation
We are also here to advocate for you.
Contact us via our social media channels or email. There is a delegate close to you.
The podcast is available on podcast apps and at