Creating generational, cultural and attitudinal change.
Gender-based violence in our community
Family violence is a significant human rights and public health issue; over 1 in 4 Australian women (2.7 million) have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner since the age of 15. When we are talking about family violence, we understand that:
SECL is committed to addressing family violence within our community. The communities we serve experience very high levels of reported family violence; the Greater Dandenong, Frankston and Casey areas are in the top 5 Local Government Areas with the highest rates of reported FV incidents in Victoria.
While we do not provide specialised family violence case management, our workers are experienced in supporting people experiencing family violence across our different programs—such as settlement support, youth and housing, emergency relief and financial counselling. Many participants in our programs are family violence survivors; for example, 2 in every 5 women accessing our financial counselling services have experienced family violence.
We also deliver family violence prevention work, which aims to understand the unique needs, experiences and situations of our migrant and refugee communities and develop meaningful programs that respond in a culturally appropriate manner.
Delivered together with Peninsula Community Legal Centre, South East Community Links, and Southside Justice, this program supports multicultural women experiencing family violence to experience housing stability, financial independence and improved legal outcomes. This will be achieved through providing integrated legal, financial, and psychosocial supports through a culturally responsive, collaborative model that advocates for systemic reforms.
Partnering with SECASA (South East Centre Against Sexual Assault), this program aims to bridge the gap between specialist sexual violence support services and the multicultural communities of south-east Melbourne. Working together, we will build referral pathways, strengthen our responses to disclosures, and deliver culturally responsive supports. Read more
Keeping the Kids Safe (KKS) is delivered in partnership with Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE), Sexual Health Victoria, and Talking the Talk with La Trobe University as a research partner. Together, we’re helping shape a future where families feel confident, informed and supported to have important conversations with their children about consent, gender, and respectful relationships.
SECL is proud to contribute our community knowledge and multicultural expertise to ensure this program resonates across diverse cultural groups. KKS is delivered as a free, four-part course for parents of Year 7 and 8 students and is currently being trialled with six cohorts across Victoria in 2025–2026.
Below are some services and organisations that you can ask for support if you or a loved one are experiencing FV:
Safe Steps
1800 015 188
24/7
Victoria’s domestic and family violence crisis response centre. Can provide risk assessment, safety planning, family violence crisis accommodation, pet safety, court advocacy and disability support.
The Orange Door (Dandenong)
1800 271 170
311 Lonsdale St, Dandenong VIC 3175
Email: sma@orangedoor.vic.gov.au
Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Free support to access to women’s and children’s family violence services, child and family services, Aboriginal services and men’s family violence services.
1800 Respect
1800 737 732
Chat online or over the phone.
24/7
National sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling support service.
inTouch – The Multicultural Centre against Family Violence
1800 755 988
Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Provides support, advice and advocacy in response to issues of family violence in migrant and refugee communities.
Djirra
1800 105 303
Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Provides Aboriginal Family Violence Legal Service, prevention of family violence, support services, cultural and wellbeing workshops for Aboriginal women.
Rainbow Door
1800 729 367
SMS: 0480 017 246
Email: support@rainbowdoor.org.au
10am – 6pm
Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Gender Diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual, BrotherBoys, SisterGirls) helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family.
Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL)
1800 806 292
5pm – 9am
After hours phone service for crisis counselling support, information and advocacy for people living in Victoria.
Men’s Referral Service
1300 766 491
24/7
National counselling, information and referral service for men who use violence and abuse to change their behaviour.
For more information about our family violence work, please contact:
0430 079 233
