The NSW Women’s Refuge Movement operates within the framework of a feminist philosophy.

Domestic violence must be understood in the context of unequal relations of power between men, women and children.  In the patriarchal structures of our society, men have greater access to power than do women or children.

Domestic violence is the result of this unequal power relationship and it also reinforces it.  Those who perpetrate domestic violence often believe they have a ‘right’ to control and coerce women and children.

The NSW Women’s Refuge Movement operates within a collective framework for decision making.

Historically the NSW Women’s Refuge Movement has maintained a commitment to encourage all refuges to participate in the decision making process.  This is achieved through Regional and state conferences and the NSW Women’s Refuge Working Party, Koori, NESB, Lesbian and child Support Groups.

Women’s Services for Women

The NSW Women’s Refuge Movement supports the policy and practice of women managing and operating refuges within a feminist framework for women alone and women with children escaping domestic violence.

Domestic Violence includes all types of violence

Domestic violence includes physical, verbal and emotional abuse, stalking, abduction and confinement, deprivation of cultural and spiritual rights, humiliation, harassment, intimidation, denial of access to money and resources, isolation from support, sexual abuse and assault including rape and incest, threat of or actual abuse, and, as part of the continuum of violence, murder.

 Domestic Violence occurs in all types of relationships

Domestic violence can occur within all relationships of a personal nature, including heterosexual or lesbian, marital or de facto, extended families and ex-relationships.

Domestic Violence– Power Disparities based on Cultural Background

The NSW Women’s Refuge Movement acknowledge the disadvantages experienced by women and children’s experience as a result of discriminatory policies, practices and attitudes in our society based on cultural background.

Domestic Violence is a breach of Human Rights

Domestic violence is a violation of human rights.  It is a crime against the individual and against society.  Domestic violence is a problem for the whole of society and not just an individual or private problem.

Domestic Violence is a Crime

Domestic violence is a crime and must be responded to as such.  The perpetrator is solely responsible for domestic violence.

Domestic Violence requires a comprehensive response

A comprehensive response to domestic violence must involve government and community and include:-

• Advocacy for the rights of individual women and children as well as for society as a whole;
• Change to the patriarchal structures of our society as they are reflected in the political, legal, economic, and social systems and as they occur in institutions and government departments;
• Removing barriers to women and children’s safety and empowerment wherever they occur.

Children Experiencing Domestic Violence Have Particular Needs

The NSW Women’s Refuge Movement recognizes that children have some needs that are separate to their mothers.  Providing specific support for children is a crucial component of an effective response to domestic violence.

The NSW Women’s Refuge Movement is committed to breaking the cycle of violence through providing effective support for children who have experienced domestic violence.

Access & Equity

The NSW Women’s Refuge Movement values diversity.  The Movement is committed to promoting access to and equity of, services for all women.  This includes Aboriginal & TSI Women and children, women and children from non-English speaking backgrounds, lesbians and their children, women and children in rural and isolated areas, older women, young women and women and children with disabilities.

Representation of Aboriginal/Lesbian/Non-English Speaking Backgrounds Women

The NSW Women’s Refuge Movement promotes decision making processes that involve diverse groups in the community.  This includes promoting the involvement of Aboriginal women, immigrant women and Lesbians in staffing and management.

The Movement also supports the development of policies which ensure appropriate and sensitive support and responses to domestic violence.

Aboriginal Issues

The NSW Women’s Refuge Movement recognizes that domestic violence experienced by Aboriginal women and children must be understood in a cultural and historical context, acknowledging that they remain a disadvantaged group due to discriminatory (overt and convert) structures in our society.

The NSW Women’s Refuge Koori Support Group was formed by Aboriginal women in the NSW Women’s Refuge Movement as a support network to ensure issues relating to Aboriginal women and children remain on the agenda.

Migrant, non-English Speaking Backgrounds Issues

The NSW Women’s Refuge Movement recognizes that migrant, non-English speaking background and refugee women and children in our society, face many barriers to accessing services.

The Immigrant Refuge Support Workers Action Group was formed by women from a non-English speaking background as a support network in the NSW Women’s Refuge Movement to ensure issues relating to non English background women and children remain on the agenda.

Lesbian Issues

The NSW Women’s Refuge Movement recognizes that lesbians and their children experience particular difficulties and barriers when trying to access services.

The Lesbian Support Group was formed by lesbians in the NSW Women’s Refuge Movement as a support network to ensure issues relating to lesbians and their children remain on the agenda.

Women and Children with disabilities

The NSW Women’s Refuge Movement recognizes that there are a wide range of barriers which impede women and/or children with disabilities from accessing services and has a commitment to addressing these issues.