wossca-2023-new-site

2026 Workshops: Understanding Coercive Control

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 23:41:07 GMT

Registration is now open for the 2026 Understanding Coercive Control workshops

Key workshop details:

Workshop Dates:

Wednesday 25 March
Thursday 11 June
Wednesday 2 September

Time: 8.30am - 12.30pm (8.15am arrival)
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton; Spinifex Room
Price: $95 (includes morning tea)

Understanding Coercive Control is a workshop that assists participants to learn how to recognise and respond to coercive control in a safe, collaborative and trauma informed space.

Learn about:

What is coercive control and what does it look like?
Understanding coercive control across diverse communities
Systems abuse
Technology facilitated coercive control
Impacts of coercive control
Misidentification and resistive
Practical tools to respond to coercive control, that include a trauma informed practice framework

Attending this workshop, will equip you with practical tools to respond to coercive control.

This workshop is for any worker who is working in Central Australia and remote communities who would like to learn how to understand coercive control.

2026 Workshops: Fundamentals of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 23:28:36 GMT

Registration is now open for WoSSCA's 2026 Fundamentals of DFSV Workshops

Key workshop details:

Workshop Dates:

Wednesday 18 February
Wednesday 25 February
Thursday 14 May
Thursday 13 August
Thursday 5 November

Time: 8.30am - 4.00pm (8.15am arrival)
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton; Spinifex Room
Price: $55 (includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea; cost is subsidised)

Fundamentals of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence is a workshop that assists participants to learn how to recognise and respond to domestic, family and sexual violence in a safe, collaborative and trauma informed space.

A range of scenarios and stories will be shared to facilitate a better understanding of recognising and responding to DFSV particularly in a Central Australian context.

Learn about:

How to recognise DFSV in Central Australia
Coercive control
The drivers for DFSV and intersectionality
Mandatory reporting requirements for domestic, family and sexual violence and child protection
Practical tools in how to respond to DFSV in Central Australia and remote settings. This includes safety planning and risk management
How to work alongside victim survivors from a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach
Referral pathways in Central Australia

The training also includes presentations from local service providers: Central Australian Aboriginal Family Law Unit , NPY Women's Council and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre .

This workshop is for any worker who is working in Central Australia and remote communities who would like to learn how to recognise and respond to domestic, family and sexual violence. This workshop satisfies as a prerequisite for those wishing to attend the Department of Children and Families training on the Risk Assessment and Management Framework (RAMF).

16 Days of Activism Recap

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 05:47:23 GMT

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2025

As the 16 Days of Activism comes to a close, we want reflect on this year’s campaign and continue to highlight the urgent need to end violence against women and girls in our communities. Thank you to NTCOSS for providing valuable content and information for us to share throughout the 16 Days.

To launch the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, WoSSCA hosted a dinner that brought together various leaders and workers from the domestic, family, and sexual violence sector.

Micaela Cronin, Commissioner for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, and Dr Carmel Hobbs delivered powerful reflections on shaping a meaningful 16 Days of Activism and the significance of this global campaign. Thank you to all who attended, and special mention to Deputy Commissioner Jenna Roberts and Board member Mandy Taylor for their ongoing support. We also appreciate Commissioner Cronin’s support of the NT in our efforts to eliminate DFSV within our community.

Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) held an open day to start the 16 Days of Activism. SARC provides support to individuals who have experienced sexual assault, and their staff include Doctors, Nurses, Counsellors and Social Workers who provide a range of services including but not limited to support and counselling for victims and families, as well as education for the community and professional groups.

WoSSCA hosted an Introduction to Youth Intimate Partner Violence workshop, facilitated by Dr Carmel Hobbs, Director of the Trauma Informed Practice Lab at the University of Tasmania. Drawing on national and international research, this interactive workshop equipped participants with skills to recognise and respond to intimate partner violence among young people.

Our Watch hosted a media training webinar, Media Making Change, targeted at journalists and media professionals in the Northern Territory who are seeking a deeper understanding of their role in preventing violence against women through their reporting. As we know, the media is a powerful driver of social change and can positively influence the culture, behaviours and attitudes that underpin violence against women and their children. The webinar highlighted how accurate, safe, and respectful reporting can challenge the widespread condoning of violence against women. It also explored the specific considerations involved when reporting on violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and how this differs from reporting on violence against non-Indigenous women.

Relationships Australia Northern Territory (through the Family Law Pathways Network) and Women’s Safety Services of Central Australia partnered to host a workshop on Understanding and Mitigating Vicarious Trauma as an Occupational Hazard with Amy Nicholas. This workshop provided attendees with a deep insight into vicarious trauma and how we can support workers who regularly respond to trauma disclosures, and this also included non-frontline workers who have regular exposure to traumatic material.

Although the 16 Days of Activism ends tomorrow, the fight against gender-based violence does not. WoSSCA is committed to driving systemic change through strong advocacy and meaningful partnerships with our community, to ensure that women and children exercise their right to feel safe in their chosen communities.

Annual Report 2024-2025

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 23:42:00 GMT

We’re proud to share the release of the Women’s Safety Services of Central Australia 2024–2025 Annual Report.

This report reflects on the past year, highlighting key data, outcomes, and achievements. It also outlines our short and long-term goals, our policy advocacy work, and our engagement in community events and projects.

View the report here .

16 Days of Activism: Against Gender-Based Violence

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 04:33:25 GMT

25 November - 10 December 2025

Trigger warning: this post contains information on domestic, family and sexual violence and could cause distress.

Join us for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence!

From Tuesday 25 November to Wednesday 10 December, this global campaign calls on all of us to stand together and take action.

Throughout the 16 days, organisations across Alice Springs are hosting various events to start conversations, inspire change, and build a safer future for everyone. Check out the event calendar attached and get involved—together, we can make a difference!

#16DaysOfActivism #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #AliceSprings

We would like to say a special thank you to the Northen Territory Government for their support of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence please contact WoSSCA.

Crisis Accommodation Support 24/7: 08 8952 6075

Outreach Support: 08 8952 7648

Email: ws@wossca.org.au

Website: www.wossca.org.au

For other mental health support please contact the following services:

Call Lifeline 13 11 14 or text 0477 131 114

1800 RESPECT - 1800 737 732

13 YARN - 13 92 76

Northern Territory Mental Health Line: 1800 682 288

WoSSCA Annual General Meeting 2025

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 05:29:08 GMT

Women's Safety Services of Central Australia's Annual General Meeting: Thursday 27 November

Women's Safety Services of Central Australia's Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Thursday 27 November 2025 at 3pm.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP to admin2@wossca.org.au and a Microsoft Teams link will be provided. Further details will be provided upon RSVP.

For previous Annual Reports and to find out more about the work we do, please visit our website https://www.wossca.org.au/governance#AnnualReports

How to refer to WoSSCA

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 06:36:35 GMT

Referral process for Crisis Accommodation and Outreach Services.

Seeking assistance for domestic, family, or sexual violence can be challenging, but Women’s Safety Services of Central Australia (WoSSCA) is here to help.

We provide specialist domestic, family, and sexual violence services and case management, available 24/7. Whether it’s day or night, if you need immediate shelter or assistance, our dedicated team is ready to assist you.

Our Crisis Accommodation Service (CAS) accepts referrals from various sources, including but not limited to the Hospital, Police, Congress, local organisations, and self-referrals directly from women. Women can reach out by arriving at our gate or calling us at any time—our team will speak with you, discuss your options, and help create a safety plan tailored to your needs.

For organisations and service providers, our referral form can be downloaded from our website https://www.wossca.org.au/ ordownloaded directly here and emailed through to our Women's Support email address: ws@wossca.org.au .

Our Outreach team also supports women who have recently left CAS or those needing ongoing help with domestic and family violence. This service is available to women in Alice Springs and remote communities, including Atitjere, Mt Liebig, Ntaria, Papunya, Ti Tree, Yuelamu, and Yuendumu. Download our referral form from our website and send through to outreach@wossca.org.au.

For questions about referrals or to get help, contact us anytime:

Crisis Accommodation Service (24/7): (08) 8952 6075

Outreach: (08) 8953 7648

Website: www.wossca.org.au

Email: ws@wossca.org.au

Women's Voice

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 23:14:21 GMT

Women's Voice 1st January - 30 June 2025

WoSSCA presents our latest Women’s Voice infographic, highlighting how women and children have accessed our services from 1st January to 30th June 2025.

On 15th March 2025, WoSSCA was involved in the She Matters, Stop Killing Women Rally. This was one of the many, nationwide rallies to raise awareness of the ongoing epidemic of violence against women in Australia.

As we look back at the last six months, we would like to acknowledge the strength and resilience of the women and children in Central Australia. Our focus continues to be on empowering women, advocating for their safety, education around primary prevention programs and working towards breaking the cycle of gender-based violence.

We show our appreciation to the staff at WoSSCA for their dedication and commitment. We also thank the service providers in the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence sector in Central Australia who continue to advocate against gender-based violence and support those in need.

Click here for the full list of Women's Voice infographics over the years.

If you or someone you know needs support, please contact WoSSCA.

You can contact us at:

Crisis Accommodation Service: 08 8952 6075

Outreach: 08 8953 7648

Our Crisis Accommodation Service is available 24/7, and you can drop in at any time

Coercive control workshop

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 23:36:47 GMT

Learn how to understand coercive control in a safe, collaborative and trauma informed space.

Women's Safety Service of Central Australia are excited to announce a new workshop on Understanding Coercive Control .

Learn about:

What is coercive control and what does it look like?
Understanding coercive control across diverse communities
Systems abuse
Technology facilitated coercive control
Impacts of coercive control
Misidentification and resistive
Practical tools to respond to coercive control, that include a trauma informed practice framework

This workshop is for any worker who is working in Central Australia and remote communities who would like to learn how to understand coercive control.

For further information please email cdt@wossca.org.au