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With Respect is not a crisis response service. For crisis responses phone:
  • 000 Victoria Police for immediate safety
  • 1800 RESPECT family violence and sexual assault 24-hour telephone support
  • 1800 015 188 Safe Steps Victoria available 24 hours for crisis support for women
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Tuesday, 07 April 2020 12:10

COVID-19-Part3

Resources and Information

With Respect has several resources and fact sheets regarding Family and Intimate Partner Violence within the LGBTIQ+ communities, and their family or friends, who are affected by family violence. https://www.withrespect.org.au

Food and material aid during coronavirus
Victorians self-isolating due to coronavirus (COVID-19) with no access to food and essential supplies will receive emergency relief packages under a program introduced by the Victorian Government. For more information phone the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 or visit https://dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

Ask Izzy has a list of emergency type aid such as food supplies searchable by postcode. Organisations here will each have their own responses to COVID-19 that are being updated https://askizzy.org.au/food 


Interpreter services for non-English speakers
This service is available to any individual or organisation in Australia, enabling non-English speakers to independently access services and information over the phone. TIS National's immediate phone interpreting service (24 hrs, 7 days a week) 131 450

 

Safety Planning: Family Violence Safety planning during Covid-19 Coronavirus

  • It is important to consider the safest way to seek information or assistance. Identify when and how it may be safest to phone or email a family violence service.

  • If you are self-isolating and physical distancing it is important to consider if there are other friends and family who could stay with you during this time. Consider reaching out to these people now to plan. 
  • Consider identifying and reaching out to a trusted friend, co-worker, or family member who could check in with you about your safety and support needs, if you need to self-isolate at home.
  • Make a “go bag”
    This should include some clothes, ID, phone charger, medications, an extra set of keys, important items for children and bankcards (if you don’t have these then some cash).
    Be aware many places are not using cash due to the potential spread of coronavirus. Sometimes it is safe to keep this bag at home to take if you need to leave the house, or it may be safer to keep it at a trusted friend or family member’s home.
  • Develop a relationship with neighbours
    It may be appropriate to ask neighbours to call police if they hear concerning noises. You may feel comfortable to ask them if you could go to their house if you feel unsafe at home.
  • Develop a code word or phrase with two friends or family members
    Sometimes it is helpful to have different code words which relate to different requests (“I’m going to the shops” may mean call the police)
  • Try to keep your mobile phone with you at all times. Have a back-up plan if you cannot get to your mobile.
  • Plan where you will go if you need to leave (even if you don’t think you will need to).
  • Include others in the plan so they can make arrangements and prepare themselves and their family.
  • Consider how you will get there if you need to leave (car, taxi, walk)
  • Keep car keys in an easily accessible location not known by the person using violence
  • Consider alternatives if public transport and other methods of transport are not available
  • Think about your exit route from the house and practice leaving safely if you can

 

Warning: points ahead may be triggering, keep reading if you are concerned for your immediate safety

  • If the person’s behaviour is escalating and you can’t safely leave, try to keep your back towards an open space, not a corner 
  • Try to avoid the kitchen, bathroom, garage, being near weapons or any place that has sharp or heavy items (we acknowledge we don’t always have control over where these incidents occur)
  • If a person is using violence towards you, try to run away from any children as they may harm them as well
  • Plan for occasions when you can’t leave your home
  • Make a ‘safe room’. Consider which room in your home you can secure that has mobile reception. A safe room will allow you to wait in until the police or another person who can help arrives
  • Identify safe areas of the house where there are no weapons and there are ways to escape. If arguments occur, try to move to those areas
  • Plan with children and identify a safe place for them, such as a room with a lock or a neighbour’s house where they can go for help. Reassure them their job is to stay safe, not to protect you
  • Plan with friends, family or trusted worker if they can look after your pets and how you can arrange their transport
Tuesday, 07 April 2020 11:07

COVID-19-Part2

Supports and Services

If you are unsafe contact police on 000. Police are responding to urgent matters regardless of physical distancing and isolation.

Safe Steps 24/7

Family Violence Crisis Response Service available to women and children.

Phone 1800 015 188 | 24 hrs, 7 days a week (free call)
If you cannot phone safely phone this number email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website https://www.safesteps.org.au

 

WithRespect
WithRespect is a family violence and intimate partner violence service supporting LGBTIQ+ communities and their families.

WithRespect offers a service model which can respond to both the person impacted by violence and the person using violence. WithRespect is not a crisis response service.

Phone 1800 542 847 | Monday – Friday 9am -5pm 
Website https://withrespect.org.au
After Hours Support, Referral, and Telecounselling is available on Wednesday, between 5pm and 11pm, and on Saturday and Sunday, between 3pm and 10pm.

Services working with LGBTIQ+ communities
Services working with LGBTIQ+ communities, can refer people for Intake and Referral for support via 1800 542 847, or fax 03 9639 3363


Queerspace
Queerspace provides counselling, case management, flexible support packages, referrals and recovery programs for LGBTIQ+ victim/survivors of family violence and

  • programs for LGBTIQ+ people using violence with the goal that they stop using violence and abuse.
  • referrals to and support accessing appropriate local services.

Queerspace face-to-face client contact and outreach services are currently provided via digital platforms including phone and video. This will expand to online groups, seminars, community education and resources.

Phone 03 9663 6733 | Monday to Friday, 9am –5pm
Website https://www.queerspace.org.au
 

Thorne Harbour Health
Thorne Harbour Health provide counselling, casework, brokerage and behaviour change support for LGBTI community members either experiencing family violence or using violence in their relationships. Currently these services are provided remotely via telephone and video conferencing.

Phone 9865 6700 | Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Website https://thorneharbour.org

 

Men’s Referral Service
Men’s Referral Service a men’s family violence telephone counselling, referral and information service for:

  • Men who use controlling behaviour towards a partner or family member
  • Women seeking information about men’s use of family violence
  • Friends, family or colleagues of people who may be using or experiencing family violence
  • Professionals wishing to support a client who is using or experiencing family violence

Phone 1300 766 491 | Monday to Friday 8am - 9pm, and weekends 9am - 5pm.

Live chat
is available through the website https://ntv.org.au | Monday to Friday 8am - 9pm and weekends and public holidays 10am - 3pm

 

QLife
QLife (Switchboard) Is a phone counselling and online chat service for LGBTI community members.

Phone 1800 184 527
Chat via the website at https://qlife.org.au | 6pm and midnight everyday


1800RESPECT

1800RESPECT is a confidential information, counselling and support service

Phone 1800 737 732 | 24 hrs, 7 days a week
Website
https://1800respect.org.au

InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence
Case management support to clients via phone, and teleconferencing and phone support for clients at four courts across Melbourne. Legal and migration support to existing and new clients via phone and teleconferencing.  Please note inTouch is not a crisis service.

Phone 1800 755 988 (toll free number)
Website contact form: https://intouch.org.au/contact-us (responses within 1 to 2 business days).

Victims Support Agency
Victims of Crime helpline

Phone 1800 819 817
Website https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/contact-us/victims-support-agency

WIRE – Women’s Information and Referral Exchange

WIRE – Women’s Information and Referral Exchange offers telephone support and referral options for women and female-identifying, and non-binary people. This is not a crisis service. There is an online chat facility available.

Phone 1300 134 130
https://www.wire.org.au/about/what-we-do

Lifeline

24-hour phone counselling service

Phone 13 11 14

Housing Support Services
DHHS has a list of housing and crisis support services
Phone 1800 825 955 (free call) or (03) 9536 7777 | State-wide After-Hours Service
https://www.housing.vic.gov.au/crisis-emergency-accommodation

 

 

Tuesday, 07 April 2020 10:38

COVID-19-Part1

As we prepare ourselves for physical distancing and self-isolation, we need to remember home is not always the safest place.

For some in our community – job losses and insecure housing can mean that we are forced back to other homes with family or friends which can be highly conflictual and for others unsafe.

Research shows the rates and severity of Family Violence increase significantly following natural disasters and periods of isolation. This is not because all people suddenly become violent, but because people who have used violence previously are in circumstances which enable greater access to their partners and family and can have more opportunities to use violence. There are also often reduced resources, community support services and police availability during times of crisis.

What this means is we need to prepare and do what we can to support ourselves, our families and our communities. The most important thing is to be aware of what resources and supports are available to those experiencing family violence and how to access them.

Sunday, 08 March 2020 12:15

Intersex Communities

Within our LGBTIQ+ communities, some of us are intersex. Intersex is not a reflection of a person’s sexuality. You might be intersex and queer, intersex and trans, intersex and multigender attracted, just as a person may be cisgender (identify with the sex assigned to them at birth) or not.

Sunday, 08 March 2020 12:10

Being Isolated by Violence

Feelings of loneliness may have nothing to do with your sexuality or gender identity but instead be related to family issues, ableism, racism or financial stress, for example. You may feel like no one understands you, that it’s hard to build friendships or form relationships.

Thursday, 05 March 2020 03:06

Detailed list of sector reforms

The family violence sector is undergoing considerable change as result of the Victorian Royal Commission.

The Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence report (2016) acknowledges capacity of the family violence service system to respond appropriately to LGBTIQ people has been limited to date.

The Commission made four recommendations covering a range of initiatives (recommendations 166-169). Broadly, these seek to:

  • increase the knowledge and evidence base regarding the rates and forms of family violence experienced by LGBTIQ people, this includes the creation of data collection frameworks
  • develop additional housing and other service options for LGBTIQ people experiencing family violence
  • build capacity within the family violence sector to recognise and respond appropriately to LGBTIQ people experiencing family violence through training and Rainbow Tick accreditation
  • raise awareness among LGBTIQ communities and the broader community of what family violence looks like and how to respond.

There has been significant investment in Royal Commission recommendations since 2016, as of June the following are being implemented:

  • w|respect has been established to support LGBTIQ communities and their families affected by family violence
  • the establishment of the LGBTIQ Family Violence Working Group as a formal mechanism of government to drive the implementation of the LGBTIQ-specific reforms and provide feedback to government on the impact of broader family violence reforms on LGBTIQ people
  • two new training modules on LGBTIQ family violence, developed by GLHV and Drummond Street Services, for workers in specialist family violence services
  • the commencement of Rainbow Tick Accreditation of specialist family violence services, which will in time include the 17 Support and Safety Hubs being established across the state
  • LGBTIQ family violence applicant and respondent workers in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria to support LGBTIQ people appearing in court in family violence matters
  • commencement of production of legal and other resources for people in LGBTIQ communities experiencing family violence, and a community education campaign
  • a mapping project to build understanding of LGBTIQ people’s experiences of the family violence system, key barriers and service gaps
  • a range of initiatives to prevent family violence against LGBTIQ people including a comprehensive literature review, a media campaign and funding for action research projects.

Over time, these combined initiatives will build a greater understanding of the nature, risk and protective factors and prevalence of violence experienced by LGBTIQ people, both within the service sector and broader community. This together with investment in sector capacity, and the design of new referral pathways will improve inclusive and more efficient system responses to LGBTIQ people who experience (and perpetrate) family and intimate partner violence.

Thursday, 05 March 2020 02:37

Privacy Policy

WithRespect is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of any information provided by you.

We will:

  • only collect personal information from you with your prior knowledge and consent.
  • only use this information for the purposes for which it was collected.

In terms of the relevant privacy legislation, we ensure that your personal information will not be disclosed to others except if required by law or other regulation.

Thursday, 05 March 2020 02:07

Acknowledgement of Country

WithRespect acknowledges the traditional owners of the land — the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations — and pays respect to their Elders both past and present.

WithRespect acknowledges and apologises to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia for the injustices and trauma suffered as a result of European settlement, the Stolen Generation and other policies, such as the forced removal of children from their families, communities, culture and land.

WithRespect recognises the significant impacts of this history and the fundamental importance of cultural traditions, beliefs and connection to country and land for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people, families and their communities. We recognise Aboriginal culture, community connection, and self-determination are critical protective factors for wellbeing. We therefore are committed to focus on achieving health (including life expectancy) and education equality and responding appropriately to the welfare needs of Aboriginal children and families. This requires our efforts to urgently address disadvantage, including targeting the social determinants of poor health and wellbeing outcomes, and intergenerational experiences of trauma and to do this in a collective and respectful ways.

Thursday, 05 March 2020 01:52

Contact

You can contact w|respect directly by phoning 1800 LGBTIQ (that’s 1800 542 847) or complete the form below.

After hours counselling is available on Wednesday, between 5pm and 11pm, and on Saturday and Sunday, between 10am and 10pm.

If you are a service provider wishing to request a secondary consult, you can complete our Secondary Consult form.

Thursday, 05 March 2020 01:44

Migrant, multifaith & LGBTIQ

The experiences of multicultural and multifaith (MCMF) LGBTIQ people vary greatly across the wide range and diversity of migrant, refugee and ethno-religious communities in Victoria. It also varies according to other intersectional factors such as length of time in Australia, levels of education, urban or rural locations, and socio-economic status.

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1800 LGBTIQ | 1800 542 847