Family violence support

 

Family violence is a display of abusive and controlling behaviour that can take different forms.

It is rarely a one-off incident and occurs both within intimate relationships as well as between family members.

Family violence can affect anyone, regardless of sex, age, race, sexuality, disability, income, gender or lifestyle. However, violent behaviour is most frequently used by men, to exercise power and control over women and children.

Every resident deserves to live free from violence. As a local leader, Council continues to call attention to the impact of gender-based violence and notes everyone has a role to play in preventing it.

Whatever your situation, if you or someone you know needs help, there is a wide range of family violence support services available. 

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing or is at risk of experiencing family violence, please call for 24 hour confidential support 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit the 1800RESPECT website.

Family violence support services

  • WRSIC - 5333 3666 (business hours) www.wrisc.org.auProvide safety, support, information, advocacy, children's counselling, court support, and case management services across our region.
  • Child and Family Services (CAFS) CAFS Family Violence
     Offers family violence support and men’s behaviour change programs : Ararat – 5352 9210 (business hours) and  Ballarat – 5337 3333 (business hours)
  • Orange Door Ballarat  - 1800 219 819 | The Orange Door
     The Orange Door listens and help you to get the support you need, quickly and easily. It’s free and you don’t need a referral.
  • Lifeline -  13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au 
    Call any time to access crisis support and suicide prevention services.
  • Kids Helpline 24/7 1800 55 1800 | www.kidshelpline.com.au
    Confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25
  • Sexual Assault Crisis Line - 1800 806 292 
    A state-wide, free and confidential after-hours telephone crisis counselling services for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault.
  • White Ribbon Australia  - 1800 737 732 | www.whiteribbon.org.au
    A 24-hour response phone line connects women (this includes anyone who identifies as female or transfeminine) and their children with specialist support workers who can help them explore their options.

 

If you are using violence in your relationships, help is available to stop

 

16 days of Activism against gender-based violence

Pyrenees Shire Council is proud to be supporting the 16 Days campaign, as a global initiative designed to strengthen action to address gender inequalities, gender-based violence and take action to prevent violence before it starts.

Council is committed to supporting the program annually noting that it is everyone’s responsibility to be active in addressing gender inequalities and gender-based violence.

Visit https://www.respectvictoria.vic.gov.au for more information on the campaign.

We encourage all to watch this YouTube clip short film that Council developed in partnership with Respect Victoria. It is a powerful presentation of the local impact of gender-based violence and what it means to our community:

16 Days of Activism in the Pyrenees

2024 program –

  • Public walk against family violence – led by Beaufort & Skipton Health Service: 9 Dec 12.30pm.
  • Other Walks Against Family Violence: St Arnaud: 28th Nov, Stawell: 5th Dec, Skipton: 10th Dec.
  • Story Time in libraries.
  • Link to Safe & Equal Australia wide Calendar of events - https://safeandequal.org.au/16-days-of-activism.
  • Beaufort police station, B&SHS and Pyrenees Shire Council have shown solidarity and support by flying orange flags for the 16 days period.

 

 

Back to top