Help and support for women & children experiencing family violence

 

If you are experiencing Family Violence

 
If you or someone else is in immediate danger call the police on 000.
If you are considering leaving a violent situation please see our section below on Safety Planning.
 
If you are concerned that your abuser may be tracking or monitoring your internet use please read these Technology Safety tips provided by DVRCV.
 


Services for Women & Children

For support, information and help for women and their children who have experienced, or are escaping family violence in the northern region:
 
Women's Domestic Violence Crisis Service (WDVCS)
1800 015 188 / 9373 0123, 24 hour emergency help   
 
Berry Street Victoria Northern Region Family Violence Service
03 9450 4700, 9am to 5 pm Monday – Friday
 

03 9353 1013, duty service available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

 
Immigrant Women's Domestic Violence Service (IWDVS)
1800 755 988 or 03 8413 6800, Monday to Friday 9.15 am – 5.15 pm
 
Kids’ Helpline 
1800 551 800, national 24 hour helpline for children and young people
 
Northern Centre Against Sexual Assault (NCASA)
03 9497 1768, 9 am – 5 pm, or CASA 1800 806 292, 24 hour service
 
Elizabeth Hoffman House (Aboriginal Women’s Services)
1800 015 188 / 03 9373 0123, 24 hour services via WDVCS
 
Parentline
132 289, Support on parenting and relationships with children, 8 am – midnight weekdays, 10 am – 10 pm weekends



Services for Men


For Men’s referral services  and Behaviour Change programs, please visit our Stopping violent behaviour page.
 

 

Legal Advice & Support
Victims of Crime Helpline
1800 819 817, Provides information, advice and referrals to all victims of family violence, Monday to Friday 8am to 11pm
 
Victoria Legal Aid
1800 677 402 / 03 9269 0120, provides free information and advice about family violence, Monday to Friday 8.45am - 5.15pm
 
Women’s Legal Service Victoria
1800 133 302 / 03 9642 0877, provides free confidential legal information, advice, representation and referral to women in Victoria
 
Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria
1800 105 303 / 03 9654 3111, provides assistance to victims of family violence and sexual assault, Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
 
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
1800 064 865 / 03 9419 3888, provides legal aid and assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people, 24 hour service
 
Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition Family Law Advice Service
03 9654 1243
 

 

Additional Services
 
Melbourne Youth Support Services
03 9614 3688 / 1800 800 531
 
Directline
1800 888 236, 24 hour drug counselling 
 
 
 
Child Protection
1300 369 536 or 131 278 after hours
 
Centrelink
Multiple numbers depending on service required - please click on link above
 
Family Relationships Advice Line
1800 050 321
 

 

Safety Planning
 If you are considering leaving a violent situation, you should make sure you have a safety plan developed in advance.
 

This should cover questions such as:

  • Where will you go?
  • How will you get there?
  • What will you take? (e.g. money, birth certificate, bank book, passport, spare keys, medicare card, medications, change of clothes)
    •
     
    You should also consider who you should tell about leaving. Make sure that telling them is safe for both you and them. Consider supportive friends, family, neighbours, children, or school. You can also ask your neighbours to call 000 if they hear you calling for help.
     
    Under the Family Violence Protection Act (2008), the Police have the power to issue a Family Violence Safety Notice immediately, which can bar a violent person from the property for up to 72 hours.
     
    You can talk to someone at Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service on 1800 015 188 / 9373 0123, or Berry Street on 03 9450 4700, to help you to develop a safety plan.