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Family services

Every day, Ruah helps women and children experiencing domestic violence. We have been doing that since we opened Perth's first women’s refuge half a century ago.

Main Content

Family services

An estimated 430,000 Western Australians are affected by family and domestic violence, mostly women and children.

It is a major contributor to illness, disability and premature death for women aged 18 to 44 and it costs our State nearly $3 billion each year. It is the leading cause of homelessness in WA. View the sobering statistics here.

Domestic violence is never acceptable, but we believe it is preventable if we have a united approach – from government, business and the community. Please partner with us and together we can change the lives of families in desperate circumstances.

If you or your family have been affected by domestic violence, we can support you on the journey to a safer life. We provide accommodation, case management, safety planning, risk assessment, court support, education and advocacy services to help manage and resolve the impact and experience of violence and abuse.

My Story, My Time video series

Four of our My Story, My Time advocates, Azelene, Champo, Kat and Tinashe, share their insights and experiences in a compelling video series as they respond to some of the questions which reflect some of the misguided attitudes, stereotyping and misunderstanding that exists in the community about family and domestic violence.

View them all here.

Need help?

Ruah’s Family Services help thousands of women and children every year to overcome and recover from the trauma of family and domestic violence.

If you are 18 years or over and need help to escape a violent situation, or to safely stay in your own home, please contact us.

Emergency (24 hours)

If you are at risk right now, call Police 000 immediately or contact these services:

  • 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – National sexual assault and domestic violence helpline
  • 1800 007 339 – WA Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline
  • 1800 199 008 – Crisis Care housing and homelessness
  • 13 11 14 – Lifeline crisis support and suicide prevention
  • 1800 55 1800 – Kids Helpline

Download the Family Services Brochure

Download our Safeguarding Families Safety Planning booklet: A guide to help with your safety and wellbeing when experiencing abusive episodes.

Here’s how to access Ruah’s services

How we are helping

A voice for survivors

After surviving years in an abusive relationship, Azelene was determined to set a very different example for her teenage daughter. She shares her experiences to support other women as a Ruah Voices for Change advocate.

Read more

Donations and in-kind support

Ruah is grateful to our supporters and donors who enable us to provide emergency relief including emergency medical costs, essential bills and food and clothing to the women who access our refuges.

Support our work