Brimbank remains committed to ensuring that everyone in our community has the right to live a safe and meaningful life free from all forms of violence. COVID-19 should not be an excuse for violence.
Regardless of restrictions related to COVID-19, you can leave your home if you are at risk of harm from family violence. All family violence services are still operating and below are contact details for a range of support services.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call 000 (triple zero).
What is Family Violence?
Family violence is any threatening, coercive, dominating or abusive behaviour that occurs between people in a family, domestic or intimate relationship, or former intimate relationship, that causes the person experiencing the behaviour to feel fear. In Australia, it is against the law for any member of your family, including your partner, children or in-laws, to hurt or control you.
Family violence includes (but is not limited to):
- Any type of physical violence
- Being forced to do sexual acts, even if you are married or in a relationship
- Making threats or any kind of verbal abuse
- Denying access to money
- Controlling contact with people outside the family
- Children witnessing this abuse.
It is never your fault.
Often, people affected by family violence feel alone and isolated, perhaps even guilty or feel like they deserve what is happening to them. Many suffer the effects of family violence alone, and instances go unreported. If you are worried about someone, or need to seek help yourself, contact one of the support services below. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
How to help if you’re family, a friend or neighbour
- Be sure to check in on them regularly to let them know there is help. Although it may not be possible to physically visit them due to current social distancing rules, you could contact them through instant messaging apps or SMS.
- You could agree on code word or signal that the person experiencing family violence can use if they need help or need to call the police.
- You could keep copies of important documents or have an ‘escape’ bag ready for them.
- If they are in immediate danger, call 000 (triple zero).
| Organisation | Service | Contact | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Steps | 24/7 crisis support line | 1800 015 188
If you cannot safely call the 24/7 phone line, email safesteps@safesteps.org.au |
safesteps.org.au |
| 1800 RESPECT | Confidential information, counselling and support service | 1800 737 732
Translating and Interpreting Service: Call 131 450 and ask them to contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 |
1800respect.org.au |
| With Respect | Service supporting LGBTIQ+ communities and their families | 1800 542 847 | withrespect.org.au |
| Women’s Health West | Support, information and referral | 9689 9588 | whwest.org.au |
| Men’s Referral Service | Support service for men who want to change their violent behaviour | 1300 766 491 | No to Violence website ntv.org.au |
|
CASA House (Centre Against Sexual Assault) |
24 hour telephone counselling, support and crisis care support following sexual assault | 9635 3610 | casahouse.com.au |
| Elizabeth Morgan House Aboriginal Women's Services | Provides a range of support to Aboriginal women and children experiencing family violence from crisis through to recovery programs. | 9403 9400 | emhaws.org.au |
| MensLine Australia | Phone and online support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. | 1300 789 978 | mensline.org.au |
| Kids Helpline | Free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25 | 1800 551 800 | kidshelpline.com.au |
| Child First | Links vulnerable children, young people and their families into the relevant services they need | 1300 138 180 | DHHS ChildFirst & Family Services |
| Sunshine Police Station | 24/7 police station | 9313 3333 | police.vic.gov.au |
| Keilor Downs Police Station | 24/7 police station | 9365 3333 | police.vic.gov.au |
The Victorian Government has recently launched the Respect Each Other: ‘Call It Out' campaign. This campaign is designed to bring all Victorians into the conversation around family violence by depicting the irreversible damage that can occur when a home becomes unsafe. Physical distancing and isolation compounded by the multitude of stressors related to coronavirus (COVID-19) can lead to an increase in family violence.
Further information can be found on the Respect Victoria website.
Our Plan
Read our Position Statement for the Prevention of all forms of Violence 2018.
Our Fairness Equality and Respect Strategy (2019-2023) focuses on our role in promoting gender equality and preventing family violence and violence against women.
We're also part of the Preventing Violence Together 2030 Western region strategy to prevent violence against women. Preventing Violence Together is a regional partnership made up of 19 organisations who work together to prevent violence against women across Melbourne’s west.
The strategy is a coordinated, action-based approach to preventing violence against women across Melbourne’s west. It's accompanied by the Western Region Strategy to Prevent Violence Against Women Background paper.
Our Progress
See Report Card - Fairness, Equality and Respect Strategy 2021-22