With data from across the state showing increases in people experiencing family violence, there is no reason to think Mansfield families are immune. Mansfield Shire Council wants families to know there is help available locally and further afield.
Mansfield Mayor, Cr Marg Attley OAM, said with more people staying at home to reduce the community spread of COVID-19, there may be an increased risk of people experiencing family violence.
“Family violence is emotional abuse, financial abuse, physical or sexual violence, and coercive or controlling behaviour. These can happen at any time and our local support services are just as available now as they are at any other time,” Cr Attley said.
“Help is available 24 hours a day from safe steps on 1800 015 188 and the Centre Against Violence provides short, medium and long term counselling, advocacy and crisis accommodation services in Mansfield,” she said.
“If you or someone you know is experiencing any aspect of family violence, you are not alone. Services are operating to help women and children in family violence situations, including crisis accommodation.
Details on the range services are in the table below.
“Reach out to your family or friends who may be in this situation and let them know you understand and that there is help available.”
If you, or someone you know, is in quarantine or self-isolating and is at risk or experiencing family violence: Call 000 in an emergency or Safe Steps on 1800 015 188; this is a 24/7 crisis service.
Key contacts:
|
Service
|
Contact number / operating hours
|
Purpose
|
|
In an emergency, dial Triple Zero (000)
|
|
Safe Steps
|
1800 015 188
(24 hours a day, seven days a week)
|
For women and children who are victims of family violence and information about refuge and secure accommodation
|
|
Centre against Violence
|
5722 2203
|
Short, medium and long term Counselling, advocacy and crisis accommodation
|
|
Victims of Crime Helpline
|
1800 819 817 or text 0427 767 891
(8am to 11pm every day)
|
For adult male victims of family violence and victims of violent crime
|
|
Child Protection
|
13 12 78
(5pm to 9am Monday to Friday, 24 hrs on weekends and public holidays)
|
When children and young people’s safety is at risk
|
|
Sexual Assault Crisis Line
|
1800 806 292
(24 hours a day, seven days a week)
|
For victims of sexual assault
|
|
Men’s Referral Service
|
1300 766 491
(8am to 9pm Monday to Friday; 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday)
|
For men using controlling behaviour
For women seeking information and for family or colleagues of people who are using or experiencing family violence
|
|
Kids Helpline
|
1800 55 1800
(24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
|
A free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service for young people aged between 5 and 25
|
|
w/respect
|
1800 542 847
(5pm to 11pm each Wednesday and 10 am to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday)
|
A specialist LGBTIQ family violence service
|
|
inTouch
|
1800 755 988
9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday
|
A specialist family violence service that works with women from migrant and refugee backgrounds, their families and their communities.
|
|
Djirra
|
1800 105 303
|
Djirra is a culturally safe place for Aboriginal women who have experienced family violence.
|
|
MensLine Australia
|
1300 78 99 78
(24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
|
A telephone and online counselling service for men with family and relationship concerns
|
