What will Pop In do for me?
At Pop In we welcome, listen to, and believe women.
We are here to welcome you, to hear you, support you or just to offer a safe and comfortable space.
We make no assumptions about who you are or what you need, and we make no judgement. Most importantly, we offer a safe space for women and children who have been impacted by Domestic Violence and Abuse to regroup, rebuild, connect and thrive.
For every woman there is a way forward, and Pop In can be with you every step of the way.
I need somewhere to live.
At Pop In, our team can work with you to explore your options. We have close partnerships with:
Argyle Housing, our local social housing provider
St Vincent de Paul, our specialist homelessness service
a number of real estate agents within the region.
Need accommodation urgently? Call Link2Home on 1800 152 152 for help accessing emergency accommodation.
I need legal advice.
Our legal system can seem complicated and overwhelming, and it can be difficult to know where to start.
Pop In’s team of case workers can support you to access legal advice through an outreach service of a Community Legal Centre partner.
I want to see a counsellor.
Having a sounding board or someone to talk to can make all the difference when it comes to mental health.
If you are looking for a counsellor, have a chat with the staff at Pop In. We can give you information about the types of counselling available in our area, and even help you make the appointment.
I want to regain control of my finances.
One of the most common forms of domestic violence is financial abuse and control.
Pop In staff can help you access financial counselling.
I need help with employment.
Pop In case workers can provide guidance on how to make sure you are safe at work and support you to access specific information on your rights as an employee.
I want to help my friend.
Are you worried about a friend’s safety and don’t know how to help? At Pop In, we can help you help a friend. Here are some tips so you can make a start.
Stay connected
Friends are a source of strength and protection for people experiencing abuse. When someone is perpetrating domestic violence, they will often try to isolate their partner from their family and friendship groups.
Check in, ask your friend if they are ok, ask how the kids are going… these are all ways to open the door for discussion about domestic violence. However, it is important not to push the matter further than your friend is comfortable with.
Listen without judgement
If a friend discloses that their partner is being abusive, try not to pass judgement on either your friend or their partner. Lots of women return to abusive partners several times, so talking negatively about them will make the friend less likely to keep in contact if this happens. It can be hard to understand why your friend hasn’t just left, but there are a number of safety and emotional factors influencing their decision. Just try and stay supportive and be guided by what they tell you they need.
Defer to the experts
You don’t have to help your friend through this alone. Come and see us at Pop In for advice, and encourage your friend to do the same (if it is safe for her to do so).
1800 Respect can provide 24/7 advice, support and counselling, so they are also a really good place to start.
If you have immediate safety concerns, call 000.
The Southern Highlands Police Station have a Domestic Violence Liaison Officer who specialises in supporting people experiencing domestic violence. Call them on 02 4869 7899. Our legal system can seem complicated and overwhelming, and it can be difficult to know where to start.