Monash Health is committed to providing support for victims of family violence. This page aims to provide information about family violence support services, which may be suitable depending on your circumstances.
What is family violence?
Family violence includes physical and sexual abuse; emotional or psychological abuse; economic abuse; or behaviour that is threatening, coercive, or in any way controls or dominates that person or causes them to feel fear. Children who experience the effects of family violence even if they are not directly exposed to it (e.g. hear an incident from another room, console a distressed parent) is considered family violence as these behaviours cause harm.
Family violence may involve partners, siblings, parents, children and people who are related in other ways. It includes violence in many family contexts, including violence by a same sex partner, violence by young people against parents or siblings, elder abuse, and violence by carers.
Family violence in all its forms is against the law.
Support is available
- If somebody has confided in you about family violence (eg a patient, staff member or relative), you can refer them to one of the services below.
- If you are in danger or concerned for your safety or that of someone else, contact the police – call 000 for emergency assistance.
Useful contact numbers and websites
- 1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732
The national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. 24/7 phone and online services. - Safe Steps – 1800 015 188
For confidential support and information, call the family violence response line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. - The Orange Door– 1800 319 353
(Bayside Peninsula, Bayside, Frankston, Glen Eira, Kingston, Mornington Peninsula, Port Phillip and Stonnington)
A specialist family violence service that provides, secondary consultation, safety planning, intake for family services, intake services for people who use and experience violence. - South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault (SECASA) – 9928 8741
A specialist sexual assault and family violence service, which provides:
24/7 sexual assault crisis response and therapeutic counselling following sexual assault and/or family violence, to victim/survivors and other affected family members. - With Respect – 1800 542 847
A service for LGBTIQ people and their children who experience or use family violence. With Respect provide secondary consultation, counselling, case management and provide recovery programs. - Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA)– 9701 4200 (Dandenong) | 8796 0700 (Frankston)
A service for Aboriginal people, providing family violence outreach services, case management, counselling and cultural strengthening programs. - Djirra – 1800 105 303
A legal service for Aboriginal people who are affected by family violence. - Seniors Rights Victoria – 1300 368 821
Provides information, support, advice and education in response to elder abuse. - InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence – 1800 755 988
- Provides state-wide services, programs and responses to issues of family violence in multicultural communities.
- Kids Helpline –1800 55 1800
Kids Helpline is a counselling service for Australian children and young people aged between 5 and 25 years. 24/7 phone and online services. - MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978
A telephone counselling service for men with family and relationship concerns, including an online counselling service.