Victorian Services

Women's Domestic Violence Crisis Service of Victoria (24 hour crisis support) Crisis telephone support, information about options and developing a safety plan, referral to safe accommodation (refuge) for women experiencing abuse in their relationships. 24 hrs. Ph. 9373-0123, or country toll free : Ph. 1800 015 188.

Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) Crisis support, counselling, information for people who have been sexually assaulted as adults or as children. There are Centres Against Sexual Assault in regions across Victoria - see http://www.casa.org.au/ Ph. 1800 806292 (24 hours) for immediate support and to find your local CASA.

Child Protection Crisis Line Contact this number to report concerns of child sexual abuse. Toll free for all of Victoria (24 hours) Ph: 131-278. For more information on child protection see the Department of Human Services Office for Children page - About Child Abuse

Immigrant Women’s Domestic Violence Service For immigrant women who are victims of domestic violence. Mon-Fri 9-5. Ph. 8413-6800 Website: www.iwdvs.org.au

Women's Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE). Melbourne Information, support and referral for women. Phone service: 9am - 5pm Mon-Fri Ph. 1300-134-130. TTY: 13-36 77. Women's Information Centre open: 210 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, 10:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Website: www.wire.org.au

Gay and Lesbian Switchboard. Telephone counselling for lesbians and gay men, referral to face to face counselling and other services. Available 6-10pm each day, 2- 10 pm Wednesday. Ph. (03) 9827.8544 (Melbourne Metropolitan) 1800.631.493 (country) Website: www.vicnet.net.au/~glswitch/

Action Centre 277 Flinders Lane Melbourne General and sexual assault counselling, referrals and medical services for young people. Ph. (03) 9654 4766 or country free call Ph. 1800 013 952. Level 1, 94 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Website: www.fpv.org.au/1_5_5.html Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre 292 Wellington St Collingwood 3066. Information and referral to local services and support groups. (Note: we do not provide counselling but can refer to counselling services). Ph: (03) 9486-9866 9am - 5pm Mon-Fri. Email: [email protected] Website www.dvirc.org.au

Domestic Violence Outreach Services. These services offer women and children who are enduring or escaping from a violent partner practical support and information about safe accommodation options, obtaining legal advice, accessing financial entitlements, referrals to counselling and other services. Contact times are usually are usually within business hours. Support workers specifically for children may be available through your local service.

Metropolitan Domestic Violence Outreach Services:

Eastern Metro Region: Ringwood Ph. 9870-5939

Northern Metro Region: Ph.9458-5788 (10am-4pm Mon-Fri)

Southern region: St Kilda or Moorabin Ph. 9536-7777

South Eastern Region: Frankston Ph. 9781-4658 Cranbourne Ph. 5990 6789 Springvale Ph. 9791-6111 Dandenong Ph. 9791-6111 Narre Warren Ph. 9703-0044

Western Region: Ph. 9689-9588 Top of page

Women's Legal Service Victoria For women in Victoria who are in need of legal advice, information or referral, irrespective of income or assets. Legal Advice Line: Ph. (03) 9642 0877 or 1800 133302 (Free call number for country callers). HOURS: Monday and Friday mornings 10am – 1pm; Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6.30pm – 8.30pm; Wednesday afternoon 2pm – 5pm. Website: www.womenslegal.org.au

Men's Referral Service The Men's Referral Service is an anonymous and confidential telephone service provided for men by men. It provides a central point of contact for men who are wanting to stop their violent or abusive behaviour towards their family members, but are not sure how or where to go for advice. Many women also call the Men's Referral Service seeking information and help for their male partner, husband, relative or friend. Ph. 9428 2899 or STD Freecall 1800 065 973 12 noon to 9:00pm Monday to Friday. Website: www.ntv.net.au/ntv_two.htm

Indigenous Family Violence Support Officers For phone referrals to specific regional indigenous family violence support officers, contact the number below. This office can also assist with information on Victorian Indigenous Family Violence strategy (this is a community led initiative to develop a government response to family violence in Indigenous communities). Contact Janet Muir, Statewide Co-ordinator, Indigenous Family Violence Strategy, Department of Human Services, Ph: 9616 8028.

Jewish Taskforce Against Family Violence Support Line Supporting members of the Jewish community who are experiencing, or know of someone who is experiencing, family violence or abuse (03) 9523 2100. 9 to 1 Mondays and Wednesdays; 5 to 9 Tuesdays and Thursdays. Email: [email protected] Website: www.jewishtaskforce.com.au National Services:

LifeLine telephone counselling (general) Ph: 131 114. Website: www.lifeline.org.au

Police or Ambulance Ph. 000 in an emergency for police or ambulance.

Translating and Interpreting Service Phone to gain access to an interpreter in your own language (free) Ph: 131-450 Website: www.immi.gov.au/tis/

Kids Help Line Telephone counselling for children and young people Freecall: 1800 551 800. E-mail and web counselling www.kidshelp.com.au

Australian Childhood Foundation Counselling for children and young people affected by abuse Ph. 1800-176-453 or 9874 -3922. Website: www.childhood.org.au or www.stopchildabuse.com.au

Relationships Australia Support groups and counselling on relationships, and for abusive and abused partners. Ph. 1300-364-277 or Vic (03) 9261-8700. Website: www.relationships.com.au From the Victoria Police website:

Community Safety

Family violence Release date: Tue 29 May 2007 Last updated: Mon 23 July 2007

If you are experiencing family violence you can take action to stop it:

 If you need immediate assistance call police on 000.  Go to your local police station and report the violence to police.  If you want to speak to someone who can help you, but you do not want to speak to police, you can call an organisation for help by referring to the brochure in your language on the right side of this page.

Family violence is a term referring to violent, threatening, coercive or controlling behaviour that occurs in family, domestic or intimate relationships. Family violence can happen in a current or former relationship. Family violence can consist of the following:

 Physical injury  Direct or indirect threats  Sexual assault  Emotional and psychological torment  Economic control  Property damage  Social isolation  Stalking.

Family violence is predominantly, but not exclusively, perpetrated by men against women and children. However, family violence can be perpetrated by any member of a family against any other member. Violence can occur in any kind of relationship, including lesbian, gay and transgender relationships. People who are elderly or have a disability can also be victims of family violence.

Code of Practice for the Investigation of Family Violence

In August 2004, Victoria Police launched the Code of Practice for the Investigation of Family Violence. The Code provides police with more options to assist people experiencing family violence. For more information about the Code of Practice click the link on the right side of this page.

Victoria Police is committed to addressing family violence in our community through four main functions, which includes ensuring people are referred to support services and further assistance. The four main functions of police in relation to family violence are:

 Provide safety and support to those involved.  Investigate and identify criminal offences.  Present offenders before the court.  Assist in minimising family violence in the community. Resources and publications

In consultation with specialist family violence service providers, Victoria Police has developed a series of brochures:

 Brochure 1 is written for victims of family violence.  Brochure 2 addresses men who use violence.  Brochure 3 speaks to the community about family violence.

The brochures explain aspects of family violence, including:

 Types of behaviours that may constitute family violence  Effects on your health and the health of your children  Victoria Police and its role in family violence matters  Action that police will take  Organisations that can help you.

Through this information, we hope to:

 Encourage people to seek help if they are experiencing family violence.  Demonstrate that family violence in our community is never acceptable.

Brochure One (for victims) has been translated into 15 languages, available by clicking on the links on the right side of this page.

Victoria Police Family Violence Unit (FVU)

The FVU works with central police departments, government and non-government agencies, and geographical regions of Victoria Police to develop and implement strategies aimed at enhancing the police response to family violence. The unit prepares and participates in specialist police training courses and community education activities. It also coordinates the activities of 10 full-time Family Violence Advisers within the five police regions. For more information visit the Family Violence Unit link on the right side of this page.