Women’s Health West is continuing to deliver essential services to women and children who experience family violence during the COVID-19 health emergency. We remain open and will continue to provide our family violence services. As well as this, we will continue to follow up referrals received from Victoria Police following incidents of family violence. 

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is marked every year on 15 June to raise awareness of the mistreatment of older people brought about by ageism and inequality in our society. This year with the impact of COVID-19, there is increased urgency to bring light to this issue.

COVID-19 has vastly impacted the way we live our lives. Not only have we had to endure a health crisis, but we’ve also had to endure an economic and financial crisis. Loss of jobs, school shutdowns, and adopting practices such as social distancing to flatten the curve amid the COVID-19 outbreak, have placed a significant burden on women and marginalised communities. It’s during these times of crisis that we recognise the varying experiences of people of all genders, with women, the LGBTIQ community, First Nations people, people with a disability and other marginalised communities disproportionately affected.