Family Violence

Family violence can 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 a young person against parents, elder abuse and violence by carers in a domestic setting against those for whom they are responsible.

Family violence is:

• Any behaviour by a person towards a family member of that person that:
  • Is physically or sexually abusive
  • Is verbally, emotionally or psychologically abusive
  • Is economically abusive
  • Is threatening
  • Is coercive
  • In any other way seeks to control or dominate the family member and causes that person to feel fear for their safety or wellbeing or that of any other person.
• Any behaviour by a person that causes a child to hear or witness, or otherwise be exposed to the effects of behaviour listed above.

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing family violence help is available.

If you are in immediate danger or concerned for your immediate safety (or that of someone else), call police on 000 for emergency assistance.

Further services and supports are listed below. If you are using an Eastern Health service and are experiencing family violence, please reach out to a staff member for assistance to access support.

• 1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732 – 1800RESPECT provide confidential information, counselling and support 24/7 over the phone to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.
• Safe Steps – 1800 015 188 – Safe Steps is Victoria’s 24/7 family violence response centre, and provide 24/7 phone line support to help people find safety from family violence, including access to crisis accommodation after hours.
• Orange Door – Orange Door is the access point for adults, children and young people who are experiencing family violence, families who need support with the care and wellbeing of children and young people, and people using family violence. Orange Doors are accessible via phone, email or walking in. There are 2 Orange Doors in the East listed here, open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. Please use the Orange Door website to explore other locations.
• Inner East – 30-32 Prospect Street, Box Hill VIC 3128 – 1800 354 322
• Outer East – 4/16 Devon Street, Croydon VIC 3136 – 1800 271 150
• Boorndawan Willam – 03 9212 0200 – Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service (BWAHS) is the lead specialist Aboriginal specific family violence service supporting people in the Easter Metropolitan Region Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.
• inTouch – 1800 755 988 – InTouch provides specialist services, programs and responses to family violence in migrant and refugee communities Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.
• Rainbow Door – 1800 729 367 – Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family everyday 10am-5pm.
• Men’s Referral Service – 1300 766 491 – Men’s Referral Service is the 24/7 national counselling, information and referral service for men who use violence, offering support to change behaviour. 

For children at risk, please see Child Safety | Eastern Health

Eastern Health is prescribed to the Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS) and Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS).

All requests for information using these schemes must be completed by an Information Sharing Entity (ISE) and/or a Risk Assessment Entity (RAE). The requesting organisation/individual will be verified by Eastern Health prior to any release of information.

To request information using the schemes, please complete the Information Sharing Scheme Request form and email to [email protected]

Eastern Health External Entity Request for Information Form – ORANGE