The Department for Child Protection (DCP) is committed to preventing violence against women and is proudly a White Ribbon accredited workplace.

We promote a culture of zero tolerance towards violence against women and provide a safe and respectful place in which women can excel as professional public sector employees.

DCP is currently:

  • Advocating ideas that support gender equality
  • Developing strategies to promote White Ribbon to the workforce and encourage staff to join in and reflect
  • Training staff in up-to-date modules about preventing violence and how to respond if someone confides in them
  • Reviewing workplace policies and procedures to support victims of domestic and family violence

Through this work, women and men who work at DCP can better understand the complex issues around violence against women.

DCP Statement of Commitment to White Ribbon

Recognising violence against women

We recognise that violence against women is driven by gender inequality within social, cultural and organisational structures.

The workplace is a key environment within which we can address these issues.

The impact of violence against women can be physical, financial, sexual and psychological. It affects women’s wellbeing and prevents them from fully participating in society. It also affects families, the community and society as a whole.

We commit to providing a workplace that is safe, respectful and free from all forms of discrimination, violence and abuse.

The statistics on the level of violence against women are staggering.

  • 1 in 4 (23% or 2.3 million) women and 1 in 14 (7.3% or 693,000) men have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner since the age of 15.1
  • On average a woman is killed every 9 days by a current or former partner. 2
  • 1 in 2 women who experienced emotional abuse also experienced financial abuse such as a partner controlling their ability to work or earn money. 2

Violence can take many forms, including physical abuse, sexual assault and harassment, verbal and emotional abuse. It can lead to homelessness, unemployment and impacts on mental and physical health.

Source:

  1. AIHW (2019) Intimate partner violence https://www.aihw.gov.au/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/types-of-violence/intimate-partner-violence#common
  2. AIHW (2019) Family, domestic and sexual violence in Australia: continuing the national story https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia /b0037b2d-a651-4abf-9f7b00a85e3de528/aihw-fdv3-FDSV-in Australia-2019

Support and assistance

The Department ensures that everyone has access to the right support and assistance if they are experiencing domestic or family violence. Details of service providers for you, or someone you may know who is experiencing domestic or family violence is listed below:

South Australian Police

Phone Triple Zero (000) ask for the police (life-threatening or urgent situations)

Police Attendance

Phone 131 444 (non-urgent assistance)

Domestic Violence Crisis Line

Phone 1800 800 098 (24 hours crisis counselling, support and referral to safe accommodation)

1800RESPECT – (1800 737 732)

Phone 1800 737 732 (sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling)

Women’s Information Service

Phone 8303 0590 for referrals to domestic violence services and for safety information

Men’s Referral Service

Phone 1300 766 491 (men’s family violence assistance, information and counselling to help men who use violence)

Further information about domestic and family violence and sexual assault services are available at sa.gov.au.