Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Support Services

Local Support Service Safer Pathways 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 pathways.
  • 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 Pathways 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 Pathways 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.

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.