Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai
Survivors Group Inc.

We support survivors of domestic violence with a non-judgmental ear and advocate for better understanding and improved response to psychological, emotional and verbal abuse.

Registered Charity
ABN 54 883 981 332

Highlighting elder abuse on White Ribbon Day at Hornsby Mall. Joy McDonald with Hornsby Mayor and former Attorney General of Australia, Mr Philip Ruddock AO at the Hornsby Mall.

Our concerns

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From July 2024, coercive control will be a criminal offence in NSW when a person uses abusive behaviours towards a current or former intimate partner with the intention to coerce or control them. More information

Despite significant progress in understanding and addressing domestic violence in Australia, several areas remain poorly understood:

1. Coercive Control: While physical violence is often the focus, the nuances and impacts of coercive control (a pattern of controlling behaviors that create an unequal power dynamic in a relationship) are less understood. Recognizing and addressing this form of abuse is crucial for effective intervention.

2. Elder abuse is on the rise. Physical, emotional, financial harm, and neglect lead to long-term impacts such as mental health issues, economic instability, and perpetuating cycles of trauma and abuse. Premature death is a frquent outcome.

3. Long-term Effects: While the immediate impacts of domestic violence are well-documented, less is known about the long-term effects on survivors, including mental health, economic stability, and the intergenerational transmission of trauma and abusive behaviors.

What's new

The Role of Mental Health Disorders in acts Interpersonal Violence and Psycho-Emotional Violence by both men and women: Mental health disorders significantly influence the dynamics of interpersonal violence (IPV) and psycho-emotional violence (PEV). These disorders can alter an individual's perception, emotional regulation, and behavior, potentially increasing the likelihood of conflict escalation and abusive interactions. Conditions such as depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and particularly untreated Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can exacerbate communication challenges, impair judgment, and intensify stress responses, all of which are critical factors in IPV and PEV incidents. Understanding the impact of these mental health conditions is essential for developing effective interventions and support mechanisms in both preventing and addressing IPV and PEV. More information

4. Male Victims: The experiences of male victims of domestic violence are frequently overlooked in research. The prevalence of behavioral disorders such as Conduct Disorder (CD) and Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) within families can result in boys and men being systematically targeted for abuse. It is imperative to develop effective support mechanisms for male victims of domestic violence both young and old entailing perpetrators with behavioural disorders strongly associated with violence. This approach should aim to address both the immediate and long-term consequences of such abuse.

Enhancing understanding of the role behavioural disorders play in these areas is crucial for developing more effective policies, support services, and intervention strategies to address domestic violence in Australia comprehensively.

Relationship troubles, not mental health, lie behind the plague of male suicides: Research by the Australian Institute of Suicide Research and Prevention found that almost half of male suicides are linked with relationship issues, one in 20 are linked to child custody issues, one in 10 to pending legal matters. That’s the glaring gender difference – with male suicide three to four times more likely than female suicide to be linked to relationship break-up and child custody. More information

However, a 2021 study finds that some men use suicidal behaviour as a deliberate and calculated response to maintain influence or control over women. More information

This content contains information some readers may find distressing as it refers to information about family, domestic and sexual violence. If the information presented raises any issues for you, or someone you know, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

Empowering Survivors

Addressing abuse requires grasping the concept of power. Oxfam's 'Quick Guide to Power Analysis' delineates various forms of power:

• Power over: This involves dominance, where the strong exert control over the weak, often leading to exclusionary practices.

• Power to: The capacity to make decisions and execute actions.

• Power with: A collective force that emerges from organization, solidarity, and joint action.

• Power within: An individual's self-assurance that is shaped by culture, religion, or identity, influencing what thoughts and actions are deemed legitimate or acceptable.

The intricate nature of power suggests that there is no universal remedy for altering power dynamics. Effective strategies typically require interventions at multiple levels and addressing several dimensions of power concurrently to ensure sustainable improvement. This might involve challenging the ideologies and beliefs that uphold harmful practices, engaging with authorities, distancing from the abuser, and establishing a robust and healthy support network.

Undertaking such comprehensive actions often necessitates multilayered supports, which might consist of your general practitioner, a skilled and seasoned psychologist, law enforcement, and a local support group for survivors. These resources in combination can offer the assistance needed for enduring change.

We provide a supportive, non-judgmental listening service, available in person over coffee or via telephone. In addition, we offer a curated selection of resources that have aided our members in their paths to creating lives free from abuse.

Additionally, we embrace the healing power of self-expression through the arts, whether it be through drawing, poetry, or prose.

What we do ...

What we don't do ...

We do not prescribe specific actions to take. The choice to take action concerning an individual's situation rests solely with the survivor.

How we fund our activity

The HKSG provides unique community participation support to NDIS participants in the Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai areas on terms not typically available from commercial providers. For instance, service cancellations often incur penalty fees—a burden for clients who may experience sudden onset fatigue. As a not-for-profit organization, HKSG does not charge these fees, in addition to a reduced fee structure.

Our clients have the option to engage in kayaking as a form of exercise or to engage in fishing. We provide all necessary equipment, including safety gear and fishing tackle, and for increased stability and comfort, stabilizers are fitted to the kayaks.

At this time, the dual kayaking activity is available exclusively to male participants due to our current lack of a female kayaking expert.