Family Violence Services

safe steps Family Violence Centre

Safe steps provides 24 hour telephone crisis counselling, referral, information and support women and children experiencing family violence. It is the central contact point for women’s Refuges in Victoria. If there are no vacancies in Victorian Refuges, safe steps will assist a woman to explore and secure safe alternative interim accommodation options until a Refuge vacancy is available.

Phone: 1800 015 188 – Toll Free 24 hours 7 days a week

              (03) 9928 9600

Website: www.safesteps.org.au

Email: admin@safesteps.org.au

 

Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria (FVPLS)

The Aboriginal Family Violence Victoria (FVPLS) provides legal advice, counselling, information, referral and support to Aboriginal victims/survivors or people at immediate risk of family violence and sexual assault as well as to parents/carers of Aboriginal children.

Phone: Freecall 1800 105 303

(03) 9244 3333 (Abbotsford)

              (03) 5562 5755 (Warrnambool)

              (03) 5153 2322 (Bairnsdale)

              (03) 5021 3200 (Mildura)

Website: www.fvpls.org

 

Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) Forum

There are 16 CASAs throughout Victoria, including the Victorian Sexual Assault Crisis Line (after hours telephone service).

CASAs work to ensure that women, children and men who are victim/survivors of sexual assault have access to comprehensive, timely support and intervention to address their needs. CASAs also work towards the elimination of sexual violence through community and professional education, informing government policy, advocating for law reform and facilitating research to increase community understanding of the nature and incidence of sexual assault.

Integral to the philosophy of services and programs provided by CASAs is the right of the victim/survivor to be believed and treated with respect, dignity and sensitivity.

Phone: Sexual Assault Crisis Line (Victoria) 1800 806 292

Website:  www.casa.org.au

 

Community Legal Centres

Community Legal Centres provide free legal advice and assistance to anyone who lives, works or studies within their catchment area. The Centres also provide community education about the law and legal system and advocate for law reform. Legal advice can be provided in the areas of Family Law, Crimes Compensation, debts and any other areas. Where appropriate, the Centres can assist with applications for Legal Aid whereby a private solicitor will act, and Legal Aid will pay for it. Further information on the several specialist community legal services they offer can be found on their website.

Phone: (03) 9652 1500

Website:  www.communitylaw.org.au

Address: Level 3, 225 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia

Email: administration@fclc.org.au

 

Court Network

Court Network is a unique non-legal court support, information and referral service operating throughout Victoria and Queensland. Court Network is the only court based service explicitly and solely concerned with the need of court users.

Phone: 1800 681 614

Website:  www.courtnetwork.com.au

Email: admin@courtnetwork.com.au

 

Domestic Violence Victoria

Domestic Violence Victoria (DV Vic) is the peak body for family violence services in Victoria. DV Vic’s mission is to lead the Victorian community in building safer lives for women and children experiencing, or at risk of, violence.

DV Vic plays a role in coordinating efforts across the state and supports collaboration and partnership between governments, services, businesses and communities to work together on initiatives to prevent violence against women.

Phone: (03) 9921 0828

 

Elder Rights Advocacy (ERA)

Elder Rights Advocacy (ERA) offers a free, confidential and independent service to older people (or their representatives) who are receiving an Australian Government subsidised aged care service in Victoria.

ERA provides advocacy assistance to support older people to uphold their rights and to prevent the abuse of these rights.

Phone: (03) 9602 3066

              1800 700 600

Website: www.era.asn.au

Address: Level 2, 85 Queen Street Melbourne VIC 3000

Email: era@era.asn.au

 

Elizabeth Morgan House Aboriginal Women’s Service

Elizabeth Morgan House Aboriginal Women’s Services seeks to promote social justice and equity for Aboriginal women and children experiencing Family Violence in the community.

Phone: 9482 5744

Address: P.O. Box 167 Fairfield, Vic 3078

 

inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence

inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence works with women & children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD) who are victims/survivors of domestic violence.

The service has a pool of bi-lingual and bi-cultural workers who provide assistance and information for women and children escaping domestic violence. inTouch employs a registered migration agent who uses her knowledge of Australia’s migration procedures to offer advice or assistance to women wishing to obtain a visa or remain in Australia.

Phone: (03) 9413 6500 (10.00am – 4.00pm Monday to Friday)

              Toll Free 1800 755 988

Website: www.intouch.asn.au

Address: GPO Box 2905, Melbourne Vic 3001

Email: admin@intouch.asn.au

 

QLife Australia

QLife is a peer run counselling and referral service for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and/or intersex (LGBTI).

QLife provides nation-wide, early intervention, peer supported telephone and web based services to people of all ages across the full breadth of people’s bodies, genders, relationships, sexualities, and lived experiences.

Phone: 1800 184 527 (3pm – 12am every day)

Website: qlife.org.au

Email: ask@qlife.org.au

 

Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV)

Seniors Rights Victoria offers a range of services to support older Victorians experiencing abuse, including advocacy, legal services and community and service provider education. Seniors Rights Victoria is the primary, government-endorsed destination for friends, family members and older Victorians seeking information and support relating to elder abuse.

Phone: 1300 368 821

Website: www.seniorsrights.org.au

Address: Level 4, 98 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, 3000

Email: info@seniorsrights.org.au

 

Victoria Legal Aid (VLA)

Victoria Legal Aid helps people with their legal problems. They focus on protecting the rights of Victorians and representing those who need it the most.

They provide free duty lawyer services in family violence intervention order matters in all Magistrates’ Courts in Victoria.

Phone: 1300 792 387

Website: www.vla.vic.gov.au

 

Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency

The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) is the lead Aboriginal child and family welfare organisation in Victoria. VACCA provides support, outreach, information and confidential advice to parents and carers of Aboriginal children. VACCA programs and placement supports that are culturally sensitive and promote strong connection to Aboriginal culture and community in accordance with the child/young person’s best interests.

Phone: (03) 8388 1855

Website: www.vacca.org

 

Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV)

Women with Disabilities (WDV) are an organisation made up of women with disabilities who represent women with disabilities in policy and service development.

WDV does systemic advocacy, builds partnerships and educates the community.

Phone: (03) 9286 7800

Website: www.wdv.org.au

Address: Level 9, 255 Bourke Street Melbourne 3000

Email: wdv@wdv.org.au

 

Women’s Housing Ltd

Women’s Housing Ltd can assist women with:

• rent in advance;
• rent in arrear;
• discussing housing options; and
• advocating on women’s behalf.

In some situations Women’s Housing Limited can assist with crisis accommodation, removal costs and purchase of whitegoods.

Phone: (03) 9412 6868

Website: www.womenshousing.com.au

Address: Suite 1, Level 1, 21 Cremorne St Cremorne VIC 3121

Email: info@womenshousing.com.au

 

Women’s Information Referral Exchange (WIRE)

WIRE provides free information, support and referral information for women across Victoria. They provide a Telephone Support Service, Women’s Information Centre, online Livechat support and email support service.

Phone: 1300 134 130

Website: www.wire.org.au

Address: 372 Spencer St, West Melbourne

Email: inforequests@wire.org.au

 

Women’s Legal Service

Women’s Legal Service is a state-wide community organisation providing free confidential legal advice, assistance and referral for women. Their services include legal advice telephone line, face to face advice & assistance, casework, court support, interpreter assisted appointments, outreach service and community legal education.

Phone: (03) 8622 0600

              1800 133 302

Website: www.womenslegal.org.au

Address: Level 10, 277 William Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

 

Women’s refuges

Refuge accommodation can be arranged through Safe Steps (formerly Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service).

While Safe Steps is the main source of referrals to women’s refuges, some refuges also accept referrals from other designated agencies within their region. These have been included as separate listings on The Lookout.

Phone: (03) 9928 9600 – Safe Steps Head Office

              1800 015 188 – Safe Steps Crisis Line Toll Free 24 hours 7 days a week

Website: www.safesteps.org.au

Email: admin@safesteps.org.au