The Bondi Junction attack has impacted people around Australia, with some DV services seeing an increase in demand
Many women have visited a makeshift memorial outside the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre since the fatal stabbings. (ABC News: Sarah Gerathy)
The violence that unfolded in the Bondi Junction shopping mall on Saturday has impacted communities around the country and has left some people, particularly women, feeling scared and triggered.
Five women and one man were killed in the stabbing attack and 12 others were hospitalised, many of whom were also women.
Earlier this week, the NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said while the attacker's motives were being investigated, it was "obvious" to her that he was targeting women.
Some domestic violence (DV) helplines have reported more calls coming primarily from women in distress following the attack.
A spokesperson for the national helpline 1800RESPECT said the reporting of violent cases in the media, including about gendered violence, could be triggering.
"It can also bring up painful memories of past violence," a spokesperson said.
"[That can] prompt people to reach out for support from services like 1800RESPECT."
Many Australians are grieving after six people were killed in the Bondi Junction attack. (ABC News: Brendan Esposito)
Karen Bevan, CEO of domestic and family violence organisation Full Stop Australia, said it was common to see a spike in demand after such "devastating" incidents.
"Sometimes we see an immediate spike but we might also see a bit of a spike in demand a little bit down the road," she said.
"It's not all just happening this week. We will see people impacted longer term."
Ms Bevan urged people to disconnect from social media and reach out for help if they were overwhelmed.
"It's really important for people to think about their media use and social media intake," she said.
"Make sure we create some space for ourselves to process and feel a bit safer.
"There are many people who are affected. I just invite people to be really thoughtful about how they have these conversations so we aren't just creating distress in a thoughtless way."
Loading...Increased calls for support following attack
The impact of Saturday's events have been felt wide and far, with the Centre for Women's Safety and Wellbeing in Western Australia also seeing flow-on effects.
A spokesperson said their family and domestic violence services had received an "increased number of calls from women since Saturday's tragedy".
"This is not surprising as we know that women who have experienced domestic and or sexual violence are more likely to be fearful of crime than other people," a spokesperson said.
"Being a victim of violence by a partner/ex-partner or another male worsens women's perceptions of safety in the community."
Counsellors at 1800RESPECT also had people call in distress following the incident.
The shopping centre has been closed for several days. (ABC News: Brendan Esposito)
New South Wales Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said the government's immediate priority was to ensure the police could continue investigations, and ensuring the victims and their families were supported.
She said responding appropriately and effectively to all forms of violence against women was a key priority of the state government.
"All forms of violence against women, including family and domestic violence, are serious and devastating crimes," she said.
"[We are] committed to supporting victim-survivors through primary prevention, early intervention and improved and continued access to critical support services."
Trishna Panta says the Bondi Junction attack will be in people's minds for a long time to come. (ABC News)
Westfield Bondi Junction will open for a community reflection day this morning, before regular trading resumes on Friday.
There will be a boosted police and security guard presence, as Westfield ramps up security at centres across the country.
Local woman Trishna Panta said despite this, it was likely many people would feel unsafe in the community for some time.
"I don't think people are going to feel as safe as they felt before Saturday," she said.
"It's still scary and sad and... it'll be in people's minds for a long time."
A candlelight vigil will be held on Sunday night at Bondi Beach to give the community an opportunity to show solidarity with the survivors and victims.