Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Support Services

Local Support Service Safer Pathway for Male Victim-survivors of Domestic and Family Violence - North-West NSW

Orana Support Service delivers the Local Support Service Program across the North-West Region, including in the Orana, Mid-Western, New England and Oxley police districts.


The program supports male victims affected by family and domestic violence. We work together to identify their experiences with DFV and offer the support they need to increase their safety.


We offer victim-survivors tailored, coordinated services based on their needs and the level of threat to their safety.

  • Support male victims affected by violence
  • Improve male victim safety
  • Provide consistent and timely help
  • Help victims navigate services
  • Develop an understanding of warning signs
  • Targeted and coordinated support

Program Objectives:

  • Streamline referral pathway.
  • Provide all victim-survivors of DFV with an effective, timely and consistent response, regardless of where they live, to secure their safety and support their recovery.
  • Reduce the need for victim-survivors of DFV to re-tell their stories by helping them navigate the service system.
  • Promote a shared understanding of DFV dynamics, indicators, and threats.

Eligibility

The target group is all male victim-survivors of DFV (from 16 years of age), who are identified and referred into Safer Pathway by NSWPF, Local Courts and other agencies for DFV supports.


Male victim-survivors of domestic and family violence are assessed using the Domestic Violence Safety Assessment Tool (DVSAT). They can be assessed as either ‘at Threat’ or ‘at Serious Threat’. The victim-survivor is then automatically referred into Safer Pathway for support.


If a victim-survivor is ‘at Threat’, they will be contacted by our Safer Pathway team and provided with information, safety planning and referrals


All victim-survivors identified as ‘at Serious Threat’ are referred to a Safety Action Meeting (SAM), held fortnightly. The victim-survivor’s consent to be referred to a SAM is not required.


Our Safer Pathway team mainly receives referrals made by NSW Police Force, following a DFV report, as this is an automatic referral pathway. Remaining referrals are made by a mix of other government and non-government service providers.

Support Services

A range of strategies are identified in a client’s case management plan to address their immediate, safety or other needs.



Brokerage is available to purchase goods and services that enhance a victim-survivor’s safety and wellbeing.

DV Notify

As part of the Safer Pathway program, our role is to ensure men at risk receive timely, coordinated, and holistic support. We provide:

  • Initial contact and case coordination
  • Case management
  • Representation at Safety Action Meetings (SAMs)
  • Risk assessment
  • Safety planning
  • Case planning
  • Information and referral

 

On 30 October 2025 DV Notify was launched for one year and to be piloted in three locations:

  • Liverpool Police Area Command
  • Manning-Great Lakes Police District
  • Orana Mid-Western Police District

Using contact details that victim-survivors provide to Police, DV Notify aims to improve victim-survivor safety by automatically sending them text or email notifications when the perpetrator is released from custody in real-time. DV Notify will operate on a 24/7 basis and is an opt-out service.


More information about DV Notify is available at https://www.nsw.gov.au/legal-and-justice/dv-notify


Note:

The term 'perpetrator' is used to refer to the person who is alleged to have used violence in a domestic and family violence incident. By using the term 'perpetrator', this does not mean that the person has been convicted of a domestic and family violence offence and is not a confirmation that DV Notify has investigated or confirmed the allegations.

Domestic Violence Response Enhancement (DVRE)

Our DVRE program is incorporated in our Specialist Homelessness Service to enhance our response for women and children who are in unsafe housing, homeless, or at risk of homelessness, as a result of domestic and family violence. The DVRE program offers supports including risk assessment, safety planning, case management and monitoring.


We offer:

  • Emergency accommodation.
  • Emotional and counselling supports.
  • Practical items such as food, clothing, toiletries, and baby items.
  • Safety planning information.
  • Housing assistance and advocacy.
  • Assistance and advice on applying for AVO’s and court support.
  • Access to specialist domestic violence services including counselling, groups, and Victims Services.
  • Assistance with applying for payments.
  • Support services for children.
  • Follow-up support.