You have a right to be safe
Meli helps people and families experiencing family violence to find safety. We also support people who are using violence to make better choices for themselves and their families.
Important Information
If you are experiencing behaviour that doesn’t feel ok, that doesn’t feel safe, or that makes you uncomfortable in any way, contact the Barwon Orange Door on 1800 312 820 during business hours. If you are experiencing family violence and you need help after hours or over the weekend, call Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre toll free on 1800 015 188. In an emergency call 000.
Who is it for?
Geelong region
Individuals and families
No referral required
Support for women and children
Meli offers women and children the opportunity to talk to someone about their experience of family violence. Listening without judgement and with respect, we aim to work with women in ways that improve their safety and security and increase their education around the tactics and impacts of family violence.
We support women and children with:
- making a safety plan
- having support at court
- making your home safe (including changing locks and other security measures)
- seeing a lawyer for advice
- accessing advocacy services from a support worker
- counselling for yourself, or for your children
- providing helpful resources like Meli’s Protecting little eyes and ears booklet
- referrals to other service providers
How to access this service
Call The Orange Door on 1800 312 820 during business hours for a referral to Meli’s services.
If you are experiencing family violence and you need help after hours or over the weekend, call safe steps Family Violence Response Centre toll free on 1800 015 188.
In an emergency, call 000.
We also offer the following group programs for women and children.
Safe at Home
Safe at Home is a new, early intervention approach to supporting people experiencing family violence in the Geelong and Barwon region. If your partner or ex-partner is making you feel unsafe or controlling you, Safe at Home may be able to help. Our team can offer flexible, long-term support for the whole household, including any children or young people, and the person using violence. Types of support available include access to counselling; legal, financial and employment support; home security upgrades and help to find alternative accommodation if required. It is important to act early – if you are experiencing family violence, contact the Safe at Home team for a confidential chat.
Women
ROAR is a 12-week support group for women survivors of family violence co-designed and reviewed by survivors themselves. ROAR provides a safe, supportive and supportive environment for women with a focus on empowerment, equality and safety. Facilitated by specialist family violence staff, sessions proceed through weekly topics and activities with a narrative focus.
Victoria Legal Aid – Family Advocacy and Support Services (VLA FASS) provides family violence support services to female and gender diverse clients online and in person for Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) matters.
- Available in both Geelong and Warrnambool
Children
Meli runs therapeutic groups for children across a range of ages, including:
Full Teen 180, a group for adolescents who have experienced family violence or homelessness. Group participants can connect with peers who have also experienced violence or homelessness and together build their skills and knowledge around healthy relationships.
- This is a free service
- For more information, contact swcsreferrals@meli.org.au
Frequently asked questions
Family violence is any violent, threatening, coercive or controlling behaviour that occurs in current or past family, domestic or intimate relationships, including violence:
- from one partner toward another partner
- from an adult child toward an elderly parent
- from one sibling to another
- between extended family members
- from an adolescent to a parent
- from someone providing care to another person in a home environment.
Violent behaviour can take many forms and includes:
- physical assault, including punching, hitting, choking, kicking, pushing
- isolation from family, friends and/or social networks
- emotional and psychological abuse, including constant criticisms, name-calling, belittling and putdowns
- one partner making all the decisions and controlling what the other partner does
- stalking
- controlling access to money or how it is spent
- preventing practising of cultural or spiritual beliefs
- sexual assault
- making threats
- harming pets
- intentionally damaging property and belongings
- reproductive abuse, including forcing or pressuring you to have unprotected sex, become pregnant or have an abortion
- image-based abuse, also known as ‘revenge porn’, including taking or sharing nude or sexual images without your consent
Family violence is prevalent in Australia in all types of intimate relationships. It can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, culture, religion, income, education, occupation, ability or other circumstances. Family violence affects people from all walks of life.
Family violence is predominantly, but not exclusively, used by men towards women and children. One in 4 women in Australia will experience violence from an intimate partner.
This is a free service.
No, you can access our services via the Orange Door at any time.
No, we will support you wherever you’re at.
Yes, we can attend court with you as a support person.
Yes, we will support you as well as your children.
If you are in crisis, please call 1800 825 955. To access emergency housing and support services you must first contact a homelessness access point for assessment and referral.
Yes, however face-to-face meetings may be limited or not possible depending on social distancing requirements. Whether we meet in-person, online or over the phone, we will continue to support you during this time.
Meli welcomes all feedback about our services – good or bad. If you are unsatisfied with the service you have received, we encourage you to raise your concerns with your case manager first if you feel comfortable doing so. If this isn’t appropriate or you’re still unsatisfied you can make a complaint through our website at www.meli.org.au/feedback or by emailing feedback@meli.org.au. You can also ask to speak with the Housing Services Team Leader by calling 03 5226 8900.
We collect your personal information to help us assess your situation and provide you the best possible service. Your information is stored electronically on our secure database and is not shared with anyone else without your consent.
Further resources
The Orange Door
The Orange Door is a new way to access help and support for women, children and young people who are experiencing family violence; and for families who need support with the care, wellbeing and development of children or young people.
Contact The Orange Door if:
- Someone close to you is hurting you, controlling you or making you feel afraid, such as your partner, family member, housemate or carer
- You are struggling to manage your child’s behaviour and you require support to implement parenting strategies
- You are struggling with parenting due to money issues, family conflict, illness, addiction, grief or isolation
- You are concerned about the wellbeing of a child or young person
- You are concerned about the safety of a friend or family member
You are using violence and you want to change your behaviour
Visit orangedoor.vic.gov.au for more information.
More family violence information and resources:
The Lookout provides information, resources and services aimed at preventing and responding to family violence.
1800 RESPECT is Australia’s national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. Call toll free on 1800 737 732.
Victims Support Agency within the Department of Justice and Community Safety
Call the Victims of Crime Helpline on 1800 819 817 or text 0427 767 891
Support for LGBTQIA+ people
Free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline with family violence supports
Rainbowdoor.org.au
Victoria Police
Call 000 and ask to speak to a LGBTIQA+ Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer (GLLO). To get in contact with an LLO, speak to a police officer at your local police station.
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