Free, confidential and non-judgemental counselling and support for individuals and families where alcohol or other drugs (AOD) are a factor in family and domestic violence (FDV) in Western Australia.

About the Program: Addressing Drug and Alcohol-Related Family Violence

RISE (RESPOND, INTERVENTION, SUPPORT, EMPOWER) is our free, confidential, and voluntary family and domestic violence support services program for individuals impacted by alcohol or drug-related harm. It’s delivered in partnership with the WA Police Force’s (WAPOL) dedicated Perth Metropolitan Family and Domestic Violence Team (FDVT) and is part of an integrated approach to reducing violent behaviour and improving family safety.

The domestic and family violence support services we provide are free counselling support tailored to suit the individual and designed to help them:

manage the underlying challenges that lead them to substance use
build new coping and life skills, resilience and motivation for positive change
improve their capacity to manage AOD cravings and prevent relapses
control thoughts about and triggers for using alcohol and other drugs
improve their communication and social regulation skills.

It’s an opportunity for people dealing with drug or alcohol-related family violence challenges to seek confidential and empathetic support in a safe space where they will feel heard, understood, validated and supported along their journey towards defined goals. Additionally, we provide family domestic violence support counselling specifically designed for individuals who have experienced violence within their household.

How it Works

After an incident of family and domestic violence, where alcohol or drugs have been identified as contributing factors, WAPOL will send a referral to the RISE team via email.

One of our counsellors will contact the person who has been referred after 24 hours to explain the family and domestic violence support we can provide. If they accept our offer of support, we assess their needs and, based on this assessment, refer them to a suitable family and domestic violence services provider. These referrals might include individual counselling or group counselling here at Holyoake or a referral to external domestic and family violence support services.

The service provider will then contact the participant to arrange an initial appointment. In the meantime, our counsellor will also offer the participant interim support options, such as support groups and peer-based support.

Our counsellors are available between 8:30 and 4:30 every day, including weekends. They will attempt to contact prospective participants a maximum of three times before closing the referral.

Free Services Here at Holyoake

Participants who are referred to family and domestic violence support at Holyoake receive six therapeutic sessions. Additional sessions are available depending on the individual’s needs and our team’s capacity.

Our AOD counselling and domestic and family violence support services are available via telehealth (video counselling) or face-to-face at our Midland or Victoria Park offices. Crucially, our counsellors are also available to engage with the family, which might include a referral to our Parents Group Program and Caregivers Program.

All participants have an exit or discharge plan that identifies the ongoing support strategies agreed between the counsellor and the individual. These may include referrals to free Holyoake services (peer-to-peer support groups and individual counselling).

The RISE email is ecpreferral@holyoake.org.au, with three dedicated mobile numbers:

Beyond Counselling Services

If you are in immediate danger, call 000.

Family or relationship difficulties and intimate partner violence can be complex and require other intervention services beyond our counselling services for people who have experienced family violence. Please refer to our other resources page for additional family violence support.

Additional support services.

Frequently Asked Questions

: No. Our involvement with the police begins and ends with their referral.
: Yes, we will not disclose any information that participants share with us without their consent. The only exceptions relate to situations where we are legally mandated to disclose information about a risk of harm or illegal activity.
: No, our program is all about providing support for participants in a non-judgemental and empathetic way. Our counsellors are here to listen, understand the factors driving a participant’s AOD use and help them access the support they need to move forward.
: No, the program is voluntary. Anyone who is referred to our team is under no obligation to participate or accept our support.
: FDSV stands for family and domestic violence.
: Alcohol and family violence have a strong correlation. The use of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) can be a contributing factor or a means of coping with family domestic violence (FDV), and it has been linked to both the acts of perpetration and victimisation, potentially occurring before or after incidents of violence (AIHW). Both the misuse of AOD and the process of stopping its use (especially in cases of dependence) can be viewed as a contributing risk factor for FDV (AIHW).

Contact our team today Refer a client