Family Violence Services During COVID-19

Services are adapting and changing their practices to continue to meet the needs of their clients. The introduction of social distancing and isolation measures means services are moving to phone and online support. 

The following is point-in-time information the NIFVS team have gathered about regional family violence intake and Men’s Behaviour Change Programs.

Further updates about these and other services will be collated and made available on the NIFVS website in the coming weeks.

Intake Services for Victim Survivors

The Orange Door – NEMA (Source: Email from Del Aulich 25.3.20)

• Providing phone service and when required, face-to-face appointments. 
• Open for walk-ins, but are encouraging contact through NEMA free call number: 1800 319 355 first.
• When people visit the office in person, staff are taking as many precautions as possible.
• Following a referral, clients will first be contacted by phone to be assessed.  When necessary, in exceptional circumstances, TOD will accommodate face-to-face appointments in areas where social distancing can be maintained.
• Maintaining regular intake, assessment, planning services, including access to crisis accommodation and brokerage.

Berry Street – Hume Moreland (Source: Email from Kate Cannon 26.3.20)

• No face-to-face service is being provided.
• Continuing to provide intake (risk assessment, safety planning and referral) in Hume Moreland and case management services to current clients via phone.
• Allocations to case management are currently on hold while service works out new processes and systems.
• Outreach and out-posting have been cancelled.
• Prioritising high-risk crisis support and support to those in crisis accommodation.
• All family violence counselling being done by phone.

Safe Steps (Source: Safe Steps website 25.3.20)   

• Safe Steps 24-hour telephone service is still running as usual.
• Ability to place families in crisis accommodation or refuge may become more limited as accommodation services manage their response to the coronavirus.

Men’s Behaviour Change Programs

DPV Health (Source: Email from Deme Dunstan 25.3.20)

• Men’s Behaviour Change Programs are still running.
• More phone contact is being provided for men, especially for case management clients.
• Risk assessment and regular engagement are increasing with perpetrators.
• For clients presenting at service, social distancing is being observed.

Uniting (Source: Email from Chris McInnes 25.3.20)

• Not taking new referrals for Men’s Behaviour Change Programs at this stage.
• No longer providing Men’s Behaviour Change Programs in groups. Undertaking individual work with men predominantly by phone.
• Continuing with assessments via phone for anyone waiting for assessment.
• With family safety contact, workers have an increased focus on safety screening.

Sunbury Community Health (Email from Adam Stefano 26.3.20)

• Men’s Behaviour Change Programs have been postponed while the health centre is assessing options.