Gender-based violence (GBV) is widespread in Australia.
Hume has the highest rate of family violence in the NMR and has held this position for many years.
Everyone has the right to feel safe, equal, and respected. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for many Australian women, trans, and gender-diverse people.
GBV occurs when someone exercises power and control over another person based on their gender. While anyone can experience GBV, it disproportionately affects women. 95% of all GBV is perpetrated by men impacting women, children and young people, LGBTIQ+ communities, as well as other men. It may be perpetrated by a partner or ex-partner, a carer or guardian, a family member, or anyone who is in close contact with another person.
GBV is behaviour that can be threatening, dominating, controlling or intended to make someone to feel fear for their own or others’ safety and wellbeing. Behaviours may include physical and sexual violence, financial control, and coercive behaviours such as emotional, social and psychological abuse.
Gender-based violence is enabled by a culture of gender inequality and disrespect. Not all disrespect leads to violence against women – but all violence against women begins with disrespect. All of us have the power to change the story of GBV by promoting gender equality and supporting meaningful action aligned with challenging the drivers of violence against women.
DPV Health’s Gender Equity and Prevention of Gender-Based Violence team seek to prevent GBV by addressing gender inequality and disrespect via a range of settings and projects.
Everyone has a role to play!
Family violence is preventable. Gender-based violence will continue if we don’t all work together to stop it before it starts.
Know the facts
Find out the facts and myths about violence against women, so you can challenge common beliefs and attitudes:
- Our Watch – Quick Facts
- Safe Steps – Family Violence Myths and Facts
- Safe and Equal – Fast Facts on Family and Gender-Based Violence 2023
- Respect Victoria – Understanding Prevention
Be an active bystander
An active bystander is someone who, when noticing a situation that concerns them, does something about it.
When a third-party steps in and becomes an active bystander, it helps to discourage the perpetrator and emotionally support the victim-survivor. It’s not always easy, but it can make a big difference. Learn more about being an active bystander:
- DPV Health – Change Starts with You
- Our Watch – Doing Nothing Does Harm Campaign
- Respect Victoria – Call It Out
Support victim-survivors
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, help is available. In case of immediate danger call Triple Zero (000) and ask for Police.
You can also contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), 1800respect.org.au, the 24/7 national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service.
To find out about DPV Health’s Family & Domestic Violence support services, click here. To book an appointment, call 1300 234 263 or to send an enquiry, click here. If you or anyone you know is experiencing family violence or any other kind of abuse, reach out for help.
To learn more about how to support someone experiencing family violence, download our resource ‘How to be a supportive friend to someone experiencing family violence.’
Contact the Population Health Team
Take action to end gender-based violence and promote gender equality in your community. To get involved, contact the Gender Equity and the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence team at population.health@dpvhealth.org.au
Let's change the story: Violence against women in Australia
Our Goals
To break the cycle of gender-based violence and foster a culture of respect, gender equality, and non-violence within the community served by DPV Health.
- To embed a culture of respect and equality across education communities.
- To create safe, inclusive, equitable, and respectful sporting environments for women, girls, and gender-diverse people.
- To increase community awareness and understanding of gender equity, preventing gender-based violence, and access to the service system.
Our work in Preventing Gender-based Violence
Education Settings
Education settings, including schools and TAFEs, play a central role in the prevention of GBV. DPV Health supports education settings to embed cultures of equality and respect within their student populations and communities for generations to come.
Sport
Sport is an important setting where gender inequality and GBV can be challenged, and equality and respect promoted. By challenging gender inequality in sport settings, we can create safe, inclusive, equitable, and respectful environments for women, girls, and gender-diverse people. DPV Health recognises the important role sporting clubs and organisations play in progressing gender equality and preventing GBV. For this reason, DPV Health is involved in several gender equity in sport projects across its catchment.
Community
Strengthening awareness and mobilising community action is essential to preventing GBV. DPV Health works closely with local communities to develop awareness raising and education initiatives tailored to their specific needs. DPV Health also supports national and statewide campaigns calling for an end to gender-based violence, including 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Workplace
Workplace gender equality is associated with a range of positive outcomes for individual businesses and for the national economy. Our work lives have a significant influence on us professionally and personally, and help shape our attitudes, beliefs and behaviours around gender and violence against women. As a large employer in the region DPV Health embeds principles of gender equality in the workplace.
Resources
Let's Bring Change Together
Change Starts with You
Exploring Masculinity & Relationships: Conversations with men living in Melbourne’s Outer North
How to be a supportive friend to someone who is experiencing family violence
Coercive Control Sounds Like...
Helpline Information
| National Helplines and Services | |||
| Service | Number | Hours | Services offered |
| 1800 RESPECT | 1800 737 732 | 24 hours a day
7 days a week |
Confidential information, counselling and support service |
| Beyond Blue | 1300 224 636 | 24 hours a day
7 days a week |
Mental health support |
| Headspace | 1800 650 890 | 9am – 1am
7 days a week |
Early intervention mental health services to 12–25-year-olds |
| Kids Helpline | 1800 551 800 | 24 hours a day
7 days a week |
Confidential online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 – 25 |
| Lifeline | 13 11 14 | 24 hours a day
7 days a week |
Crisis support and suicide prevention |
| Mensline Australia | 1300 789 978 | 24 hours a day
7 days a week |
Online and phone counselling for men |
| Men’s Referral Service | 1300 766 491 | 24 hours a day
7 days a week |
Support for men who use violence and abuse |
| Qlife Australia | 1800 184 527 | 3pm – 12am
7 days a week |
Peer support and referrals for LGBTIQ+ people |
| Victorian Helplines and Services | |||
| Service | Number | Hours | Services offered |
| The Orange Door | 1800 319 355 | 9am – 5pm
Mon – Fri |
Service for those experiencing family violence |
| Safe Steps | 1800 015 188 | 24 hours a day
7 days a week |
Family violence response centre |
| InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence | 1800 755 988 | 9am – 5pm
Mon – Fri |
Family violence service, specialised in supporting people from multicultural communities |
| CASA house (Centre Against Sexual Assault) | 1800 806 292 | 24 hours a day
7 days a week |
Specialist counselling support and advocacy for victim survivors of sexual assault |
| Sexual Assault Crisis Line | 1800 806 292 | 5pm – 9am weekday
24 hours – weekends |
After-hours, confidential, telephone crisis counselling service for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault. |
| Dardi Munwurro | 1800 435 799 | 9am – 5pm
Mon – Fri |
Healing and behavioural change for Aboriginal men and youth |
| Djirra | 1800 105 303 | 9am – 5pm
Mon – Fri |
Support for Aboriginal women experiencing family violence |
| Elizabeth Morgan House | 1800 364 297 | 24 hours a day
7 days a week |
Refuge accommodation and specialist family violence services to Aboriginal women and their children |
| Rainbow Door | 1800 729 367 | 10am – 5pm
7 days a week |
Support for LGBTQIA+ people |
| Women’s Housing Ltd | 03 9412 6868 | 9am – 5pm
Mon – Fri |
Help for women at risk of homelessness |
| Women’s Information Referral Exchange (WIRE) | 1300 134 130 | 9am – 5pm
Mon – Fri |
Information, support and referrals for women, non-binary and gender-diverse people |
| Women’s Legal Service Victoria | 1800 133 302 | 9am – 4.30pm
Mon – Fri |
Support for women experiencing family violence, separation, and divorce to find safety and get legal advice |
| Berry Street | 03 9429 9266 | 9am – 5pm
Mon – Fri |
Support for families experiencing poverty, violence and abuse, and to help families stay together in safe and healthy homes |
| Local Helplines and Services | |||
| Service | Number | Hours | Services offered |
| Juno (formerly Women’s Information Support & Housing in the North) | 03 8692 2020 | 9am – 5pm
Mon – Fri |
Support for women and non-binary people in Melbourne’s north who are experiencing homelessness or family violence |
| Northern Community Legal Centre | 03 9310 4376 | 9am – 5pm
Mon – Fri |
Free and confidential legal services to people in Hume, the Mitchell Shire and Merri-bek |
| Whittlesea Community Connections – Community Legal Service | 03 9401 6666 | 9am – 5pm
Mon – Fri |
Free legal help to people who live, work or study in the City of Whittlesea and surrounding communities |
| Salvation Army Crossroads Family Violence Service | 03 9353 1011 | 9am – 5pm
Mon – Fri |
Crisis intervention and family violence refuge |
| DPV Health Services | |||
| Service | Number | Services offered | |
| DPV Health Men’s Behaviour Change Program | 1300 234 263 (select option 4) | A 20-week group work program for men aged 18 years and over, respectfully engaging men in dialogue that supports accountability, change and working towards respectful and nurturing family relationships | |
| DPV Health Men’s Case Management Service | 1300 234 263 (select option 4) | Program offering individual support for men aged 18 years and over who want to take responsibility for and change their use of family violence. | |
| DPV Health Psychology, Counseling, and Social Work | 1300 234 263 (select option 4) | Mental health support | |
| DPV Health Women’s Health Hub | 1300 234 263 (select option 1) | Women’s health services | |
| DPV Health Sexual and Reproductive Health Services | 1300 234 263 (select option 1) | Offers sexual and reproductive health information, support and care to people of all genders | |
| DPV Health Women’s Health Nursing | 1800 234 263 (select option 4) | Health screening, education and information to women of any age | |
| DPV Health Victims Assistance Program | 03 7035 9721 | Support services for victims of crime | |
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