How you can support others
Is someone you know being abused?
If your friend or relative is in immediate danger:
Where to go for more information
- Safe and Equal has some very useful information on how family members and friends can talk to someone they suspect is experiencing abuse, including questions to ask and links to support services.CLICK HERE for more information.
- 1800 RESPECT / 1800 737 732 is the national sexual assault and domestic and family violence counselling service. They can provide 24/7 support and information to victims of domestic and family violence, as well as their friends and family. CLICK HERE for more information.
- The Women’s Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE) provides free and confidential information, support and referrals for women on any issue, including family violence. Call 1300 134 130 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm), or CLICK HERE for more information.
For professionals
As the public discourse on family and family violence grows, the secrecy around it diminishes. Family violence is (rightfully) no longer thought of as a ‘private matter.’ More and more women are feeling comfortable enough to disclose, and often their first point of contact is with a generalist service (GPs, Maternal Child Health Nurse, Dentist, Psychologist, etc).
If you are a professional providing a service to a client who is experiencing family violence in the eastern metropolitan region of Melbourne, download the Family Violence Referral Pathways in Melbourne’s Eastern Metropolitan Region Booklet.
If you are a professional providing a service to a client who is experiencing family violence, you can utilise the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework (MARAM) to evaluate their risk. The MARAM Framework has been established in law under a new Part 11 of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008.
Family violence and the workplace
The total cost of family violence in Victoria was estimated at $15.3 billion in 2015-16 (source: KPMG Report May 2017, The Cost of Family Violence in Victoria). It increases occupational health and safety risks, decreases productivity and has both short and long-term health effects.
By supporting people experiencing family violence and adopting a ‘zero tolerance to family violence’, employers can be a part of a whole-of-community approach to preventing violence against women, as well as creating a supportive, safe place to work.
Safe and Equal provides detailed information on the signs of vicarious trauma and burnout and how family violence workers and employers can prioritise and protect workplace health and wellbeing. CLICK HERE for more information.
FVREE acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of this land and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. FVREE pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
FVREE acknowledges people from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) communities, their children, pets and other animals, who are responding to family violence in the community.
FVREE respects all people who are responding to family violence, regardless of ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age and ability.
FVREE is a child-focused and child safe organisation.