Free Lifeline WA Workshops Helping Communities Across WA Recognise and Respond to Family and Domestic Violence

As Western Australia prepares to mark the 16 Days in WA campaign to end gender-based violence, Lifeline WA is calling on frontline workers, volunteers and community members to register for a series of free family and domestic violence (FDV) training workshops being held throughout November and December.

Delivered as part of the national DV-alert (Domestic Violence Response Training) program, the workshops are designed to give people the skills and confidence to recognise, respond and refer when they see the signs of FDV.

Lifeline WA Chief Executive Officer, Lorna MacGregor, said the workshops are an important way to strengthen community awareness and prevention right across metropolitan and regional Western Australia.

“Domestic and family violence affects every community,” she said.

“These workshops help the people who are most likely to come into contact with those at risk such as health workers, educators, community service staff, local government employees and volunteers to recognise the signs and safely connect people to the right support.”

Recent statistics show WA Police attended more than 53,800 family violence incidents in 2023–24, while the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that almost one in three women in WA has experienced violence, emotional or economic abuse from a partner.

Ms MacGregor said Lifeline WA’s involvement in DV-alert reflects its broader commitment to suicide prevention, early intervention and community wellbeing.

“We know that family and domestic violence is one of the most significant drivers of mental health crisis and suicide risk, and education is one of the most powerful tools for prevention,” she said.

“The more people who understand what abuse looks like and how to respond safely, the stronger and safer our communities become.”

Lifeline WA’s DV-alert workshops will be held in Shenton Park and Maylands, and regional centres including Esperance, South Hedland, Geraldton and Mandurah.

There are also options to participate online.

All sessions are free, but places are limited and registration is essential.