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Family violence support

Information on support services to help if you or your family experience family violence.

If you are in immediate danger, call 000.

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Council's commitment to the prevention of family violence

Knox City Council commits to creating a safe community without violence.

We recognise that family violence is a major health and human rights issue. It can affect anyone, no matter their gender, age, location, socio-economic and health status, cultural background, sexual identity, abilities, ethnicity, religion or family type.

We recognise the extensive harm family violence causes to individuals and the community.

We commit to use our programs, services and advocacy to prevent and respond to family violence.

View our Family Violence Statement of Commitment for more details.

About family violence

Family violence takes many forms and it occurs across all social groups in the community.

While physical violence may be the most visible, there are other forms of family violence. These include:

  • physical assault (such as pushing, slapping, punching, choking)
  • verbal abuse (such as put-downs, threats and intimidation)
  • sexual assault (such as manipulating or forcing you to do sexual things, even if you are married)
  • emotional abuse (such as weakening your self-esteem)
  • controlling behaviours (such as deciding who you can see or what you do)
  • stalking (such as monitoring your online activity, following you)
  • financial abuse (such as controlling access to money)
  • pet abuse (such as threatening or harming an animal)
  • travel visa abuse (such as controlling access to visa documentation or threatening to impact your visa status)
  • social abuse (such as isolating you from family and friends)
  • spiritual abuse (such as preventing you from practising your spiritual beliefs)
  • threats or actually self-harming and saying you are responsible
  • spousal homicide.

If someone is violent, abusing and hurting you or your children, it is not your fault.

Support services

There are services that you can reach out to for advice or help.

Local support services in Knox
Support servicePhone and email

The Orange Door in Outer Eastern Melbourne

Information and services for people experiencing family violence, including:

  • women, children and young people
  • families
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • men.

1800 271 150
Mon to Fri, 9 am to 5 pm
(except public holidays)

4-16 Devon Street, Croydon

[email protected]

Free From Family Violence (FVREE)

Specialist service for women, their children and pets living in the Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne who are currently experiencing family violence.

9259 4200
Mon to Fri, 9 am to 5 pm

Eastern Access Community Health (EACH)

Counselling for anyone experiencing family violence and would like to seek support through counselling.

1300 003 224
Mon to Fri, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm

Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault (ECASA)

Support service for men, women, youth and children.

9870 7330 (office hours)

Men's Behaviour Change Programs
Relationships Australia Victoria, Boronia.

Men's Behaviour Change and Case Management programs for men who use, or have used, family violence

9725 9964

[email protected]

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support services
Support servicePhone and email

Victorian Aboriginal Childcare Agency (VACCA)

Cultural or violence support for men, women and children.

8727 0200
Mon to Fri, 9 am to 5 pm

Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service (BWAHS)

For Indigenous men, women, children and extended families.

9212 0200
Mon to Fri, 9 am to 5 pm

Djirra

Aboriginal family violence response and support service.

1800 105 303 (free call)
Mon to Fri, 9am to 9pm

Dardi Munwurro

Specialist family violence support service for Aboriginal men and youth.

Brother to brother, 24-hour crisis line.

1800 435 799
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
LGBTIQA+ support services
Support servicePhone and email

Rainbow Door

A free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family.

1800 729 367
Mon to Sun, 10 am to 5 pm

LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation

Supporting LGBTQ victims and survivors of domestic violence and abuse.

dvafoundation.org
Elder abuse support services
Support servicePhone and email

Eastern Community Legal Centre
Elder Abuse Response Services

ROSE (Rights of Seniors in the East) and ELSA (Engaging and Living Safely and Autonomously) are programs for people living in Melbourne’s East, aged 65 years and over or 50 years if you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

[email protected]

[email protected]

Phone ELSA: 0429 697 960

Seniors Rights Victoria

Information and support service for seniors experiencing elder abuse.

1300 368 821
Other family violence support services
Support servicePhone and email

Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre

24/7 Specialist support services for anyone in Victoria who is experiencing or afraid of family violence.

1800 015 188
24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If you cannot safely call the phone line, email [email protected] 

Sexual Assault Crisis Line

Crisis response for people who have experienced sexual assault or violence.

1800 806 292 (after hours)

1800 RESPECT

National family violence and sexual assault helpline offering confidential counselling and support services.

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

Child Protection - East Division

If you have concerns that a child is at risk of significant harm as a result of abuse or neglect.

1300 360 452 (business hours)

131 278 (after hours)

inTouch

Provides services, programs and responses to family violence in migrant and refugee communities.

1800 755 988 (free call)
Mon to Fri, 9 am to 5 pm

MensLine Australia

A free telephone and online counselling service for men.

1300 789 978
24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Kids Helpline

A free telephone and online counselling service for people aged 5 to 25.

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

Men’s Referral Service

Provides a range of services to support men concerned about their behaviour to change what they are doing and keep women, children and communities safer.

1300 766 491
24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Download our family violence safety card for easy reference to support services.

View family violence safety card

Knox Council Short Term Support Service

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