Programs

The Safe Pets Foster Program offers a foster care service for the pets of people experiencing domestic violence, homelessness, mental illness or a medical emergency during times of crisis for up to 12 weeks for a small weekly charity contribution fee.

This service removes the barriers that people face when they are in these situations and have pets so that they can have their animals cared for while they get the help they need and be reunited with their pets when the appropriate housing is sorted. This service also prevents many animals ending up in the already flooded shelters which is traumatic for the animal and the owner and thus prevents many loved pets being unnecessarily euthanised.

Rebuilding Smiles is a service specifically for Victims of Domestic Violence. The Australian Dental Health Foundation (ADHF) Volunteer dentists and their support staff donate their time and skills to provide pro bono treatment to patients within their practice. A referral from a domestic violence support agency is required along with associated paperwork.

Who is eligible? 

Victims of domestic violence in need of dental care. 

• If hurt by an intimate partner or spouse: they must be out of all abusive relationship. 
• If hurt by a family member: they must live in a separate home from that person. 
• All applicants must meet the liaison officer. 

The Foundation’s Rebuilding Smiles® program focuses on the provision of dental services to victims of domestic violence and their families. The Foundation aims to help this sector of the population by coordinating volunteer general dentists and specialists to provide free dental treatment to clients referred by domestic violence support agencies. 

The Family Advocacy and Support Service (FASS) provides duty lawyer and social support services to people with family law matters who have been affected by family violence. The Legal Services Commission of SA also has duty lawyers at the Family Law Courts able to assist in matters where the person is not affected by family violence. 

Duty lawyers can:

• Provide family law advice about your Court hearing and/or legal problem
• Help with adjournments – generally limited to adjournments of the first court appearance
• Help with Legal Aid applications
• Provide referrals to private practitioners and other services

Duty lawyers cannot:

• Prepare complex court documents, e.g. applications/responses and affidavits
• Represent you for interim hearings, contravention applications and final hearings (trials)
• Provide specific legal advice or representation in Court if there is a conflict of interest (for example, if the other party or a child is represented, or has previously been represented, by a Legal Services Commission lawyer). In such cases the duty lawyer will provide general information only.
• Provide specific legal advice regarding property settlements (only general information and advice)
• Assist with Youth Court (care and protection) matters

A Social Worker, located at the Family Law Courts, can help you engage with the family law processes safely and help you with safety planning.

The social worker can connect with all the relevant services that you need, such as accommodation, financial counselling, and other social support.

The Limestone Coast Domestic Violence Service (LCDVS) supports women and children in the South-East who are experiencing domestic violence, are homeless or at risk of homelessness due to violence are eligible for this service.

LCDVS provides support accommodation in one, two and three bedroom units and houses, with services available across the Limestone Coast region. In addition LCDV provides outreach support for women, individual case management, professional counselling, information and referral for housing options, medical, legal, income and advocacy.

For a confidential assessment please call 8723 1385 or 1800 631 385.

Provides support to women and children experiencing or escaping family and domestic violence to ensure their safety.

Services provided:

• Crisis support
• case management and coordination
• Safety planning
• Advocacy
• Information and referral to other required services
• Counselling
• Supported accommodation

Regions serviced

• Murray Bridge
• Tailem Bend
• Mannum
• Pinnaroo
• Raukkan
• Meningie
• Tintinara
• Karoonda
• Mount Barker
• Nairne
• Woodside
• Mount Pleasant
• Stirling
• Bridgewater
• Gumeracha

Offices are located in Murray Bridge and Mount Barker however experienced workers provide outreach services and will travel to any location within the regions as required.

Downloadable attachment is the booklet "A Right to be Heard" which has a comprehensive range of contact details and information developed for this region.

Supports women and children who are experiencing domestic violence. The Service provides short-term accommodation, confidential and professional counselling, and information and referrals for options in housing, medical, legal, income and advocacy.

Providing outreach support for women who do not require accommodation but are still experiencing domestic violence.

The service is located in Berri.

The service is a DCSI accredited Specialist Homelessness Service and Preferred Support Provider for a range of specialised programs to assist women and their children who have or are experiencing domestic or Aboriginal family violence. These programs include:

• Crisis Housing Program
• Transitional Housing Program

There is no fee for service, however, payment of rent is required for the housing programs

Referrals are accepted from:

• Individuals
• Families
• SAPOL
• Community-based organisations
• Other specialist homelessness services

The service operates 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays)