We are committed to providing respectful and confidential assistance to customers who are impacted by family violence.
Our Family Violence Policy (75kB, 3 pages) provides the framework which informs our decisions and the actions taken in dealing with customers experiencing family violence. It also provides information on the assistance that is available to those who are affected.
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This policy also ensures that we satisfy our obligations under the Essential Services Commission Customer Service Codes for urban and rural water businesses.
Below are organisations which are able to provide confidential counselling on a range of issues.
Where to go for support
Information sheet - our commitment to family violence (2MB, 2 pages)
For Women
1800RESPECT – Phone 1800 737 732
Website – www.1800respect.org.au
National counselling helpline, information and support 24/7
SafeSteps – Phone 1800 015 188
Website – www.safesteps.org.au
24/7 family violence response service including the Pets in Crisis program
Womens Information and Referral Exchange WIRE (Victoria) – Phone 1300 134 130
Website – www.wire.org.au
Women’s information and support service
For men:
Men’s Referral Service – Phone 1300 766 491
Website: www.ntvmrs.org.au
Men’s counselling and referral service for men impacted by family violence (also trained to speak with LGBTI customers)
Mensline – Phone 1300 78 99 78 – 24/7
Website – www.mensline.org.au
Support for men with family and relationship issues
Specialised Support:
QLife – Phone 1800 184 527
Website – www.qlife.org.au
Telephone and web-based counselling, referrals and support for groups for LGBTI people and their families
Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services – Phone 1800 105 303
Website – www.fvpls.org
Culturally specific assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims/survivors or family violence and sexual assault
InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence – Phone 1800 755 988
Website – www.intouch.org.au
Assistance and information for women and children from CALD backgrounds living with family violence
National Debt Helpline – Phone 1800 007 007
Website – www.ndh.org.au
General information about debt and access to financial counsellors.
General Support:
Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria (DVRCV) – Phone (03) 9486 0866 (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday)
Website – www.dvrcv.org.au
Victorian state-wide resource centre
The Lookout
Website – www.thelookout.org.au
Information and support for those experiencing family violence
LIFELINE – Phone 13 11 14
Website - lifeline.org.au
24/7 Crisis support and suicide prevention
Beyond Blue – Phone 1300 224 636
Website – beyondblue.org.au
24/7 information, referral and support for people on a range of mental health issues
DirectLine – Phone 1800 888 236
Website – directline.org.au
24/7 counselling and referral service for anyone with concerns about their own or someone else’s use of alcohol or other drugs.
Gambler’s Help – Phone 1800 858 858
Website – gamblinghelponline.org.au
24/7 counselling and support for people with concerns about gambling behaviour.
MoneyHelp - Phone 1800 007 007
Website - moneyhelp.org.au
Free phone financial counselling service.
Community Support:
Wimmera Uniting Care (8.30 am to 5 pm)
Ararat – Phone (03) 5352 2503 34 View Point Street, Ararat VIC 3377
Horsham – Phone (03) 5362 4000 185 Baillie Street Horsham VIC 3400 (PO Box 442 Horsham VIC 3402)
Stawell – Phone (03) 5358 7400 8-22 Patrick Street, Stawell VIC 3380
Website – www.wuc.org.au
Grampians Community Health – Phone Stawell 5358 7400 (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday)
Website – grampianscommunityhealth.org.au
Counselling, housing services and support for people impacted by family violence. Also provider of Men’s Behaviour Change programs.
Child & Family Services (CAFS) – Ararat – Phone 5352 2910
Website – www.cafs.org.au
Family violence intervention programs for women and children.
Also offers Financial Counselling and Men’s Behaviour Change programs.