Family and gender-based violence support

Local crisis and support services

Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative

Aboriginal health and support services.

(03) 5442 4947 

Centre for Non-Violence

The Centre for Non-violence provides a range of services and programs for women and children experiencing family violence and/or homelessness, and programs for men who use violence towards family members across the Loddon region.

Call: (03) 5430 3000 | 1800 884 292 (9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday) 

CHIRP Community Health

CHIRP offers free counselling support for individuals, family, children and young people.

(03) 5479 1000 

Dhelkaya Health (Castlemaine hospital)

Dhelkaya Health helps you and your family live happier and healthier lives. For urgent medical assistance use the Urgent Care Centre.

(03) 5471 1555

Orange Door Mallee

Orange Door Malle offers a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing, or have experienced, family violence, as well as for families who need extra support with the care of children. They also provide resources and links to local services. www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au

1800 512 359 (9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday)

General crisis and support services, including after hours support

Child Protection Services

For children and young people whose safety is at risk.

13 12 78 (5.00pm to 9.00am Monday to Friday, 24 hours on weekends)

DirectLine

24-hour drug and alcohol counselling and referral service.

1800 888 236

InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence

To get in contact with a specialist family violence centre for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds, their families and communities.

1800 755 988 (weekdays 9.00am to 5.00pm)

Kids Helpline

Free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service for young people aged between 5 and 25.

1800 55 1800 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Lifeline

24-hour telephone counselling to anyone who is in crisis or feeling suicidal.

13 11 14

MensLine Australia

Telephone and online counselling service for men with family and relationship concerns.

1300 78 99 78 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Men’s Referral Service

For men using controlling behaviour, women seeking information, and friends family or colleagues of people who are using or experiencing family violence.

1300 766 491 (8.00am to 9.00pm Monday to Friday; 9.00am to 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday)

QLife

QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQA+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.

1800 184 527 (everyday 6.00pm to 10.00pm) or text chat (everyday 3.00pm to 12.00am).

Safe Steps

For women and children experiencing family violence

1800 015 188 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)

Sexual Assault Crisis Line Victoria

Crisis counselling service for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault.

1800 806 292 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)

Suicide Call Back Service

24-hour telephone counselling to anyone who is feeling suicidal or anyone who is supporting someone who is feeling suicidal.

1300 659 467

Victims of Crime Helpline

For victims of family violence and victims of violent crime

1800 819 817 or text 0427 767 891 (8.00am to 11.00pm every day)

Victoria Police LGBTIQ+ Liaison Officers

LGBTIQ+ Liaison Officers (also known as GLLOs) are located at police stations throughout the state. They have been provided with extra training to support members of the LGBTIQA+ community.

03 9247 6944 – find out your closest LGBTI Liaison Officer

WithRespect

Specialist LGBTIQ support service for those experiencing difficulty in their relationships including family violence.

1800 LGBTIQ / 1800 542 847 (Business hours, and from 5.00pm to 11.00pm each Wednesday, 3.00pm to 10.00pm on Saturday and Sunday)

1800RESPECT

Counselling and support service for people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.

1800 737 732 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence

Get involved in 16 Days of Activism Against Gender based Violence.

For more information on local activities contact us on 5471 1700 or email m.fowler@mountalexander.vic.gov.au or s.gradie@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.

Support the Respect Women: Call it Out campaign

Find information and resources at Respect Victoria.

International Women's Day

Participate in International Women's Day, which is held on 8 March each year.

To find out how you can support International Women’s Day visit www.internationalwomensday.com or www.iwda.org.au.

Know your A-Z!

This is a helpful resource to challenge gender stereotypes, promote respect and prevent violence.

Download a poster or cards and share them in your workplace, school or club Safe+Equal.

Do something – Because doing nothing does harm

To find out what you can do to help prevent violence against women visit www.doingnothingdoesharm.org.au.

For more information, evidence and resources visit Our Watch

Change the Story

Watch and share the Change the Story video from Our Watch.

Active Bystander training

Attend Active Bystander training to help you safely intervene when you see or hear discrimination, sexism and sexual harassment. For information on training visit www.whv.org.au/training/active-bystander-training or check out the Online Active Bystander Project at Gender Equity Victoria.

Download the Daisy app

Free app developed by 1800RESPECT to connect women experiencing family violence to support services near them. There is also information on what to expect when contacting services, including for legal, housing, family violence and other support services.

Download Daisy from Google Play or Apple Store.

Download the Sunny app

Free app developed by 1800RESPECT with women with disability who have experienced violence and abuse or sexual assault to provide information and support.

Download Sunny from Google Play or Apple Store.

Everybody deserves to feel safe and respected at home, and in their relationships.

In Australia, LGBTIQA+ people are reported to experience family violence at similar, if not greater rates, than heterosexual people.

There are many risks and barriers that may stop LGBTIQA+ people from accessing support for family violence: biphobia, homophobia, transphobia, heterosexism, and heteronormativity.

Learn more about family violence and how to stay safe at Safe+Equal.

Read more about LGBTIQA+ resources and support services.

Gender equality

Gender equality is the equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of all people, regardless of gender. Gender equality does not mean that women, men, girls, boys, trans and gender diverse people will become the same, but that their rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on whether they were born female or male.

Gender equity

Gender equity is the fairness of treatment of all people, regardless of gender, according to their respective needs. This may include equal treatment or treatment that is different, but which is considered equivalent in terms of rights, benefits, obligations and opportunities.

LGBTIQA+ people are not only more likely to experience family violence, but are less likely to seek support due to a lack of appropriate crisis accommodation, few perpetrator referral options, distrust of police and other services, and legal and practical discrimination.

1 in 4 women experience partner violence

Domestic violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in women aged 15-44

A woman is killed by her intimate partner each week in Australia

Children are present in 1 out of every 3 family violence incidents reported to police.

It is estimated that the cost of domestic violence in Australia is $21.7 billion/year (2015)

You can find more statistics at Safe+Equal.