Domestic and Family Violence

If you have immediate safety concerns for yourself or another person please contact emergency services on 000.

People with Disability are 1.8 times more likely to experience some form of domestic or family violence in their lifetime compared to people without a disability.*

Family violence refers to violence between family members, typically where the perpetrator exercises power and control over another person. The most common and pervasive instances occur in intimate (current or previous) partner relationships and are usually referred to as domestic violence. Sexual violence refers to behaviours of a sexual nature carried out against a person’s will. It can be perpetrated by a current or previous partner, other people known to the victim, or strangers.*

People with Disability may also experience other forms of domestic and family violence, including:

Threatening to punish, abandon or institutionalise them
Threatening that police or other services will not believe their reports
Threatening to report them to Child Protection or have their children taken away
Threats to assistance animals (such as guide dogs)
Financial abuse
Abuse that focuses on the disability itself**

People with Disability, their families and Support Workers may experience domestic or family violence and Hireup are here to support you. Below you will find the ways in which Hireup can support you and the resources that our community can access if they or someone they know is experiencing family and domestic violence.

How can Hireup help?

What can I do if I suspect a Client is experiencing domestic or family violence or disclose they are experiencing domestic or family violence?

If a Client discloses they are experiencing domestic or family violence, listen openly and without judgement to the disclosure. Advise the Client that you will need to report this information to the Hireup Support Office team.

Call emergency services (000), if you or a Client is in immediate danger.

If you suspect a Client is experiencing domestic or family violence, report it to Hireup.

Call Hireup on 02 9113 5933 8:00 am - 5:30 pm Monday to Friday or submit an Incident report.

Hireup Clients and Account Managers are required to provide Support Workers with a safe physical and emotional work environment. If you do not feel safe you have the right to leave the booking. If this occurs please don’t hesitate to contact emergency services if someone is at risk of harm and notify Hireup by submitting an Incident Report.

We also encourage Support Workers to make a report to the relevant national family/domestic violence or disability abuse hotline. An anonymous report can be made if you wish. You can find more information below.

What support is available to me if I witness or am told about domestic or family violence?

We understand that supporting someone experiencing domestic or family violence is complex. Support Workers’ safety and wellbeing is also important. This includes keeping yourself safe and looking out for signs of burnout and emotional fatigue. You can ensure that you are looking after yourself by working within the confines of the Support Worker job description and supporting Clients to access appropriate services such as the ones listed below. You can also use the Stop Think Plan Risk Assessment to help identify any safety risks during shifts with a Client.

As a Hireup Support Worker you also have access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). It is run by Acacia Connection, they can provide counselling and psychological support to you when you need it.

Hireup will make every effort to ensure that the impacted person with disability is supported throughout the reporting process.

What can I do if I suspect my Support Worker is experiencing domestic or family violence or disclose they are experiencing domestic or family violence?

If a Support Worker discloses or you suspect a Support Worker is experiencing domestic or family violence, report it to Hireup.

Call Hireup on 02 9113 5933 8:00 am - 5:30 pm Monday to Friday or submit an Incident report.

If you hold concerns for your safety call emergency services (000).

Hireup will make every effort to ensure that the impacted person is supported.

What can I do if I am experiencing domestic or family violence?

Call emergency services (000) if you are in immediate danger.

If you are experiencing domestic or family violence, there are a number of resources available online. You can find more information below.

If you are a Support Worker you also have access to Hireup’s Employee Assistance Program. This is a free and confidential counselling service run by Acacia Connection, who provides face to face or phone counselling and psychological support at a time that works for you. You can also access other support services such as financial coaching, nutritional support and legal referral services.

Please see Hireup’s Support Worker Time, Attendance & Leave Policy for details on Support Worker Leave entitlements.

Reporting hotlines for each state:

National:

1800 RESPECT - 1800 737 732

Men's Referral Service - 1300 766 491

Men’s Line Australia - 1300 78 99 78

The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline - 1800 880 052

People with Disability Australia - 1800 843 929

New South Wales:

Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline - 1800 628 221

NSW Domestic Violence Line (for women and persons who identify as female) - 1800 65 64 63

Victoria:

Safe Steps - 1800 015 188