Victorian Services
Women's Domestic Violence Crisis Service of Victoria (24
hour crisis support)
Crisis telephone support, information about options and developing
a safety plan, referral to safe accommodation (refuge) for women
experiencing abuse in their relationships. 24 hrs.
Ph. 9373-0123, or country toll free : Ph. 1800 015 188.
Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA)
Crisis support, counselling, information for people who have been
sexually assaulted as adults or as children. There are Centres
Against Sexual Assault in regions across Victoria - see
http://www.casa.org.au/
Ph. 1800 806292 (24 hours) for immediate support and to find your
local CASA.
Child Protection Crisis Line
Contact this number to report concerns of child sexual abuse. Toll
free for all of Victoria (24 hours) Ph: 131-278. For more information
on child protection see the Department of Human Services Office for
Children page - About Child Abuse
Immigrant Women’s Domestic Violence Service
For immigrant women who are victims of domestic violence. Mon-Fri
9-5. Ph. 8413-6800 Website: www.iwdvs.org.au
Women's Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE).
Melbourne
Information, support and referral for women.
Phone service: 9am - 5pm Mon-Fri Ph. 1300-134-130. TTY: 13-36
77. Women's Information Centre open: 210 Lonsdale St, Melbourne,
10:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Website: www.wire.org.au
Gay and Lesbian Switchboard.
Telephone counselling for lesbians and gay men, referral to face to
face counselling and other services. Available 6-10pm each day, 210 pm Wednesday. Ph. (03) 9827.8544 (Melbourne Metropolitan)
1800.631.493 (country) Website: www.vicnet.net.au/~glswitch/
Action Centre
277 Flinders Lane Melbourne
General and sexual assault counselling, referrals and medical
services for young people.
Ph. (03) 9654 4766 or country free call Ph. 1800 013 952. Level 1,
94 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Website:
www.fpv.org.au/1_5_5.html
Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre
292 Wellington St Collingwood 3066.
Information and referral to local services and support groups.
(Note: we do not provide counselling but can refer to counselling
services). Ph: (03) 9486-9866 9am - 5pm Mon-Fri. Email:
dvirc@dvirc.org.au Website www.dvirc.org.au
Domestic Violence Outreach Services.
These services offer women and children who are enduring or
escaping from a violent partner practical support and information
about safe accommodation options, obtaining legal advice,
accessing financial entitlements, referrals to counselling and other
services. Contact times are usually are usually within business
hours. Support workers specifically for children may be available
through your local service.
Metropolitan Domestic Violence Outreach Services:
Eastern Metro Region:
Ringwood Ph. 9870-5939
Northern Metro Region:
Ph.9458-5788 (10am-4pm Mon-Fri)
Southern region:
St Kilda or Moorabin Ph. 9536-7777
South Eastern Region:
Frankston Ph. 9781-4658
Cranbourne Ph. 5990 6789
Springvale Ph. 9791-6111
Dandenong Ph. 9791-6111
Narre Warren Ph. 9703-0044
Western Region:
Ph. 9689-9588
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Women's Legal Service Victoria
For women in Victoria who are in need of legal advice, information
or referral, irrespective of income or assets.
Legal Advice Line: Ph. (03) 9642 0877 or 1800 133302 (Free call
number for country callers). HOURS: Monday and Friday mornings
10am – 1pm; Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6.30pm – 8.30pm;
Wednesday afternoon 2pm – 5pm. Website:
www.womenslegal.org.au
Men's Referral Service
The Men's Referral Service is an anonymous and confidential
telephone service provided for men by men. It provides a central
point of contact for men who are wanting to stop their violent or
abusive behaviour towards their family members, but are not sure
how or where to go for advice. Many women also call the Men's Referral
Service seeking information and help for their male partner, husband, relative or
friend.
Ph. 9428 2899 or STD Freecall 1800 065 973
12 noon to 9:00pm Monday to Friday. Website:
www.ntv.net.au/ntv_two.htm
Indigenous Family Violence Support Officers
For phone referrals to specific regional indigenous family violence
support officers, contact the number below. This office can also
assist with information on Victorian Indigenous Family Violence
strategy (this is a community led initiative to develop a government response
to family violence in Indigenous communities).
Contact Janet Muir, Statewide Co-ordinator, Indigenous Family
Violence Strategy, Department of Human Services, Ph: 9616 8028.
Jewish Taskforce Against Family Violence Support Line
Supporting members of the Jewish community who are
experiencing, or know of someone who is experiencing, family
violence or abuse (03) 9523 2100. 9 to 1 Mondays and
Wednesdays; 5 to 9 Tuesdays and Thursdays. Email:
HELP@jewishtaskforce.org.au Website:
www.jewishtaskforce.com.au
National Services:
LifeLine
telephone counselling (general) Ph: 131 114. Website:
www.lifeline.org.au
Police or Ambulance
Ph. 000 in an emergency for police or ambulance.
Translating and Interpreting Service
Phone to gain access to an interpreter in your own language (free)
Ph: 131-450 Website: www.immi.gov.au/tis/
Kids Help Line
Telephone counselling for children and young people
Freecall: 1800 551 800. E-mail and web counselling
www.kidshelp.com.au
Australian Childhood Foundation
Counselling for children and young people affected by abuse Ph.
1800-176-453 or 9874 -3922. Website: www.childhood.org.au or
www.stopchildabuse.com.au
Relationships Australia
Support groups and counselling on relationships, and for abusive
and abused partners. Ph. 1300-364-277 or Vic (03) 9261-8700.
Website: www.relationships.com.au
From the Victoria Police website:
Community Safety
Family violence
Release date: Tue 29 May 2007
Last updated: Mon 23 July 2007
If you are experiencing family violence you can take action to stop it:
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If you need immediate assistance call police on 000.
Go to your local police station and report the violence to police.
If you want to speak to someone who can help you, but you do not want to speak to police, you
can call an organisation for help by referring to the brochure in your language on the right side
of this page.
Family violence is a term referring to violent, threatening, coercive or controlling behaviour that occurs in
family, domestic or intimate relationships. Family violence can happen in a current or former
relationship. Family violence can consist of the following:
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Physical injury
Direct or indirect threats
Sexual assault
Emotional and psychological torment
Economic control
Property damage
Social isolation
Stalking.
Family violence is predominantly, but not exclusively, perpetrated by men against women and children.
However, family violence can be perpetrated by any member of a family against any other member.
Violence can occur in any kind of relationship, including lesbian, gay and transgender relationships.
People who are elderly or have a disability can also be victims of family violence.
Code of Practice for the Investigation of Family Violence
In August 2004, Victoria Police launched the Code of Practice for the Investigation of Family Violence.
The Code provides police with more options to assist people experiencing family violence. For more
information about the Code of Practice click the link on the right side of this page.
Victoria Police is committed to addressing family violence in our community through four main functions,
which includes ensuring people are referred to support services and further assistance. The four main
functions of police in relation to family violence are:
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Provide safety and support to those involved.
Investigate and identify criminal offences.
Present offenders before the court.
Assist in minimising family violence in the community.
Resources and publications
In consultation with specialist family violence service providers, Victoria Police has developed a series of
brochures:
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Brochure 1 is written for victims of family violence.
Brochure 2 addresses men who use violence.
Brochure 3 speaks to the community about family violence.
The brochures explain aspects of family violence, including:
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Types of behaviours that may constitute family violence
Effects on your health and the health of your children
Victoria Police and its role in family violence matters
Action that police will take
Organisations that can help you.
Through this information, we hope to:
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Encourage people to seek help if they are experiencing family violence.
Demonstrate that family violence in our community is never acceptable.
Brochure One (for victims) has been translated into 15 languages, available by clicking on the links on
the right side of this page.
Victoria Police Family Violence Unit (FVU)
The FVU works with central police departments, government and non-government agencies, and
geographical regions of Victoria Police to develop and implement strategies aimed at enhancing the
police response to family violence. The unit prepares and participates in specialist police training
courses and community education activities. It also coordinates the activities of 10 full-time Family
Violence Advisers within the five police regions. For more information visit the Family Violence Unit link
on the right side of this page.