Family violence resources

For those at risk of family violence being at home may not be the safest place during the current pandemic.  Council's website includes information about what is family violence and family violence help for those:

  • who experience family violence 
  • who use abusive or violent behaviours.  

Further, the resources below have been created by Victorian support services for sharing by local communities to raise awareness and increase knowledge how to keep safe or access support if experiencing violence.  

For resources for professionals please use the resources page maintained by NIFVS Northern Integrated Family Violence Services

Key Awareness Campaigns

Week without Violence

Week without Violence is an annual campaign to end violence against women, led by family violence support services and coordinated by Northern Integrated Family Violence Services (NIFVS) in the Northern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne.

Respect Women: Call It Out
Statewide awareness campaign from 25 November to 10 December in partnership with Municipal Association of Victoria and Respect Victoria.  Activites include:

  • Webinar recording
    Webinar on 25 November 2020 with Paul Zappa, General Manager of The Men’s Project at Jesuit Social Services:  Saying No to Violence Against Women - Supporting communities to work with men and boys to foster respect and celebrate healthier expressions of masculinity.

  • Active bystander online training for Council employees in partnership with Merri Health.
  • Promoting respect and how to call it out, support services and what respect means to community members through online messaging (websitefacebook) and Council facilities.  

APPs

Daisy

Free app developed by 1800RESPECT to connect women experiencing family violence to support services near them.  There is also information on what to expect when contacting services, including for legal, housing, family violence and other support services. 

Download Daisy from Google Play or Apple Store.

Sunny

Free app developed by 1800RESPECT with women with disability who have experienced violence and abuse or sexual assault to provide information and support.

Download Sunny from Google Play or Apple Store.

Resources for parents

Choosing Positive Paths

Berry Street Family Violence Services and Women’s Health West

This resource offers mothers, other protective parents and/ or carers information on how to respond to children affected by family violence at different ages and stages.

Koori parenting resources

Victorian Aboriginal Health Service 

Booklet, poster and postcards convey key messages and practical strategies to help Koori parents break intergenerational cycles of trauma within their families. 

Resources for young people

Rosie

Victorian Women's Trust

An online space for young women to connect with the best digital resources out there to help navigate life’s tricky situations.  Rosie includes a range of resources, links, videos, articles, blogs, teacher resources and support networks. 

What’s OK at Home (WOAH)

Domestic Violence Resource Centre

A website for young people and their adult allies about family violence, why it happens, how to recognise it, and how to help others experiencing it. 

Resources for migrant/ refugee and faith communities

Family Safety Pack - Fact sheets in 46 community languages

Australian Government Department of Social Services

The fact sheets include information about Australia’s laws regarding domestic and family violence, sexual assault, forced marriage and a woman’s right to be safe.

 

Islam and Muslims oppose violence against women - A guide

Australian Muslim Women's Centre for Human Rights

A guide for Muslim women who have experienced family violence and Muslims who seek to inform themselves and their community about a socially responsible understanding of family violence.

Languages: English, Arabic, Farsi, Somali, Urdu

Family Violence Help Card

Buddhist Council of Victoria (BCV)

BCV is a participant in the Faith Communities Supporting Healthy Family Relationships Action Research project and funded by the State Government.

The Help Cards in English, Vietnamese and Chinese were developed under this program. 

Multi-language family violence posters

Northern Integrated Family Violence Services

The Multi-language Posters inform community members about support services that are available in the northern metropolitan region. 
Languages: English, Arabic, Farsi, Chinese, Hindi, Turkish and Vietnamese    

Family violence: what police do - multi-lingual fact sheets

Victoria Police 

Fact sheets to explain Victoria Police's response to family violence for people for those who experience family violence; have committed family violence or the people and services supporting them.
Languages: English and 13 community languages

Resources for Aboriginal communities

Family Violence Fact Sheet

Djirra Aboriginal Women's Service

Facts on Family Violence in Aboriginal Communities 2019

Elizabeth Morgan House Aboriginal Women’s Service

Resources for people with disability

Our Right to Safety & Respect

Women with Disabilities Victoria

Video resource and video guide, developed by and for women with disabilities about violence, abuse, safety and respect (Safeguards Project).

Speak up and be safe from abuse

Scope

Abuse is not ok and everyone has the right to speak up.  This toolkit assists people with communication difficulties to identify and report abuse.

Resources for older people 

Elder Abuse Prevention Network: north and west metropolitan regions

The Elder Abuse Prevention Network aims to stop elder abuse through education, resources and campaigns.  The web page includes information regarding referrals and supports for family violence during the COVID-19 restrictions. 

Seniors Rights Victoria

Information and resources for older Victorians as well as their service providers and the broader community.

Victoria Police

Information by Victoria Police for older people.