Frequently Asked Questions
Please get in touch if you require further information about any of our services.
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Domestic Violence FAQs
Coercive control is when someone uses a pattern of abusive behaviours to take away freedom and independence, and it can leave victims feeling afraid. People who use coercive control use many different abusive behaviours to maintain power and control.
For further information visit the WA Government Website
Are you or someone you know experiencing domestic abuse? Take this self-assessment to identify whether coercive control might be present in the relationship.
Coercive Control Relationship Assessment Tool | Yourtoolkit.com
Financial abuse, also known as economic abuse, is a form of family and domestic violence. It involves using money in ways that can hurt and control their victim. Abusers may also stop their victims from going to work or force them to get loans you don't want. For further information visit the WA Government Website
If someone is insulting you or teasing you in front of other people, keeping you isolated from family, friends and work, controlling what you do and where you go, then they are being abusive, and you may need to seek help or take some action.
Emotional abuse can include mind games, manipulation, threats, humiliation, put-downs, shouting and gas-lighting.
Spiritual and cultural abuse is the act of preventing someone from worshipping or from having their own religious beliefs and opinions. This type of violence involves a situation where you are not allowed to go to your place of worship or not allowed to have your own opinions about religion, cultural beliefs and values. Your spirituality is manipulated to keep you feeling powerless, or you are forced to participate in religious practice you do not want to be involved with.
Some abusers use social media networks, emails and text messages to control you. This includes high-tech eavesdropping, video-monitoring the home, tracking your location with GPS devices such as your mobile phone and tampering with phone bills or emails.
You may notice they are:
- careful around their partner in order to avoid their anger, violence or emotional abuse.
- sometimes pressured into sexual activities they are not comfortable with.
- scared to disagree with their partner.
- always being checked up on by their partner, either face to face or on social media or text.
- unable to spend time with friends or family because their partner is jealous.
Gaslighting is denying, changing, or manipulating the truth to make you doubt your memories, perceptions, and experiences.
Crisis Accommodation for Women FAQs
Starick's crisis accommodation can be accessed by phoning the 24-hour phone number – 08 9458 1107. Women can phone our refuge direct or go through Crisis Care on 08 9223 1111 or 1800 199 008 (country free call).
If you have the time, you should take:
- Essential clothing and personal items for yourself and your children.
- Any medications you or your children are taking.
- Identification, such as birth certificates, children's immunisation records, any Department of Housing documentation, legal documents, passports and visa information you may have.
Sometimes when women are not able to bring the above items with them, our workers can assist them to retrieve important items from their property with police assistance.
Women and children can stay up to three months. This gives them time to sort out income and legal issues and to find alternative accommodation.
Unfortunately pets cannot be brought to the refuges.
Cats: The Cat Haven may be able to offer temporary accommodation for cats. This is decided case-by-case and depends on space. For more information, visit The Cat Haven website or phone (08) 9442 3600.
Dogs: Temporary care of dogs may be available through Pat Giles Centre's Safe Families Safe Pets (SFSP) Program. For more information, visit the SFSP website or phone (08) 9300 0340
Starick's domestic violence advocates work in police stations, providing assistance and support to women who have come into contact with the police or court system because of a family and domestic violence incident. More details.
Yes, you can bring your children into a Starick Refuge.
Starick refuges provide services to women and children impacted by family and domestic violence in the Southeast metropolitan corridor.
Mobile Outreach FAQs
Starick's Mobile Outreach services provide support to women in the eastern metro corridor who are experiencing or have recently escaped a violent or coercive relationship. Outreach is the name we give to any service we provide to women and children living in the community and not in a Starick refuge. Outreach services include things like counselling, referral to support groups, court support and safety planning. Starick has dedicated outreach workers who can assist you with using these services. More details.
Women can self-refer, WA Police, Crisis Care, Other FDV services, Department of Communities, GPs, hospitals, mental health services, women's services, other government and community services.
- Risk assessment and planning.
- help applying for family violence restraining orders and court support.
- Practical and emotional support.
- Advocacy with relevant agencies to get support and services.
Other FAQ
Starick provides counselling for women and children in our refuges and outreach services.
HOWIC stands for Housing of Women in the Community. This Starick program provides transitional medium to long term housing in the south-east metropolitan area for women and children who are escaping domestic and family violence and who would otherwise have difficulty securing safe, affordable housing. More details.
- Each refuge has a Child Advocate who works directly with children, liaises with mothers and supports their parenting.
- Safety planning
- Casework to support children’s individual needs
- Homework support
- School holiday programs
- After school activities
- Camps for mothers and children
- Children’s outreach – to support children to reconnect with their new home and community.
Some of our transitional housing is located within a small complex, or cluster.
Starick's women's advocates are trained professionals who assist and support the women using our service.
Starick's child advocates are trained professionals who assist and support the children using our service. Starick recognises that children need their own advocate to ensure they receive the best possible outcome.
Domestic and family violence can affect children in many ways. It can affect their behaviour, development, physical health, relationships, emotions, learning and thinking abilities. How quickly and completely children recover depends on many things, including their individual personalities and strengths. If you'd like to discuss this with our outreach worker, call (08) 9398 5039.
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