Free From Violence

Family Violence is any abusive, coercive, controlling, or threatening behaviour that occurs in past or current family or family-like structures, domestic or intimate relationships. These behaviours can be physical, sexual, financial, emotional and psychological abuse. Certain types of abuse, such as Elder Abuse and Carer Abuse can look different than we expect Family Violence to look.

What constitutes a family structure can vary by culture. Intimate partners, member and non-family carers can perpetrate violence. Children who witness Family Violence are also victim-survivors (Safe and Equal).

Children who are victims of direct and indirect family violence experience a range of harms, including physical, psychological and financial. 

The Free From Violence Local Government Program aims to increase understanding and awareness across Victorian councils of the drivers of family violence and violence against women, and supports councils to promote positive behaviours, attitudes, and the implementation of the Local Government Guide for Preventing Family Violence and All Forms of Violence Against Women.

Corangamite Shire Council has been successful in receiving funding from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing as a participant in the Free From Violence 2024-2027 program, with support from the Municipal Association of Victoria and Local Government Victoria.

• Condoning of violence against women
• Men’s control of decision-making and limits to women’s independence in public and private life
• Rigid gender stereotyping and dominant forms of masculinity
• Male peer relations and cultures of masculinity that emphasise aggression, dominance and control

Change the Story: A shared framework for the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia

 Ending Family Violence Victoria’s Plan for Change

While Family Violence and Violence Against Women is an under-reported problem, the data we do have shows that Family Violence incidences in the Corangamite Local Government Area have slightly increased since 2015.

1800RESPECT

Phone: 1800 737 732
Website: www.1800respect.org.au

The Orange Door Colac

Phone: (03) 5232 5100
Website: www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au

The Orange Door Warrnambool

Phone: 1800 271 180
Website: www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au

Orange Door Outposts:

Camperdown: Manifold Place, Community Health Centre
Address: 140 Manifold Street, Camperdown

Mortlake: Mortlake Community Health Centre
Address: 23 Boundary Road, Mortlake

Brophy Family and Youth Services

Phone: 1300BROPHY (1300 276 749)
Website: www.brophy.org.au

Colac Area Health

Address: 2-28 Connor Street, Colac
Phone: (03) 5232 5100

Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA):

Business hours phone: (03) 5564 4144 (8.30 am – 5.00 pm)
After hours: Call the Statewide Sexual Assault Crisis Line on 1800 806 292

Djirra Warrnambool

Phone: 1800 105 303
Website: https://djirra.org.au
Address: 125A Kepler Street Warrnambool

Family Relationship Centre

Website: www.familyrelationships.gov.au
Address: 193 Liebig Street, Warrnambool
Phone: 1300 361 680

OzChild

Manifold Place Community Health Centre
Address: 140 Manifold Street, Camperdown

Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative

Phone: 03 5559 1234
Address: 135 Kepler Street, Warrnambool
Website: www.gunditjmara.org.au

Kids Helpline
Phone: 1800 551 800
Website: kidshelpline.com.au
Free phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Available 24/7.

Men’s Referral Service

Phone: 1300 766 491
Website: ntv.org.au
For men concerned about the impact of their behaviour on their relationships or family. Trained counsellors are available 24/7. Men can remain anonymous if they would prefer.

Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre

Phone: 1800 015 188 (available 24/7)
Email: safesteps@safesteps.org.au
Website: www.safesteps.org.au – Web chat available Monday – Friday 9 am - midnight

SAFV Centre (formerly known as Emma House)
Phone: 03 5561 1934
Free Call: 1800 366 238
Fax: 03 5561 1484
Email: emmahouse@safvcentre.org.au
Address: 131-133 Kepler Street Warrnambool