Women in Lismore and surrounding areas will benefit from improved access to domestic violence and sexual assault support services, with a $130,000 funding boost for Northern Rivers Women and Children’s Services Incorporated (NORWACS).

NORWACS is a community-based charity which provides trauma informed care and services to support women’s health and wellbeing.

The investment will help to better meet the needs of local women following experiences of sexual, family or domestic violence. It will complement the significant work led by NSW Health Northern NSW Sexual Assault Services in supporting victim-survivors of violence in the region.

The NSW Government is committed to strengthening relationships between primary care, community-based care and the public health system to develop robust local referral pathways and responses for women.

Quotes attributable to Regional Health Minister Ryan Park:

“The NSW Government is pleased to support NORWACS, which has provided confidential, compassionate health and wellbeing assistance for women in the Lismore region for more than 25 years.”

“As Minister for Health, it is one of my priorities to ensure we’re improving access to healthcare services for women, especially vulnerable members of the community who may be impacted by domestic violence.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison:

“This funding boost will help NORWACS continue the important work they do in the Northern Rivers, providing targeted, trauma-informed support for women and children, especially those who have experienced domestic or sexual violence.

“In addition, their work with other health professionals and services, including the four NSW Health Sexual Assault Services in the area, improves awareness and promotes understanding of the impacts of sexual, family and domestic violence.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin:

“I welcome this extra funding for NORWACS that recognises its great work supporting the health and safety of local women and children.

“In particular this is timely support for NORWACS project addressing the dangers of non-fatal strangulation in sexual assault and intimate partner violence.

“NORWACS is working to educate the community about the serious risk of brain injury from non-fatal strangulation and is identifying gaps in diagnosis and treatment and delivering training for GPs and health workers to get them up to speed on this issue.

“The extra funding will also allow NORWACS to increase its hours of vital DV outreach work in our region.”