It can be very difficult for someone who is experiencing family violence to tell someone and seek help.

You can make a great difference to someone who is experiencing family violence by offering your encouragement and support.

Signs to look out for
Family violence is not always obvious. Some key signs to look out for include:
• The person seems afraid of a family member
• The person has stopped seeing friends or family
• The person seems anxious or depressed, has lost confidence and is unusually quiet
• The person has physical injuries such as bruises, broken bones, sprains or cuts
• The person says that they are being pressured to do sexual things
• Their family member criticises or humiliates the person in front of other people.

How you can help
• Listen to what the person has to say and believe them
• Tell the person that the violence is not their fault
• Encourage the person to seek help
• Be patient and let them come to their own decisions.

For more information about how you can help someone who is experiencing family violence, visit the Domestic Violence Resource Centre Website: www.dvrcv.org.au/HelpHub/friends.htm

If you, or someone you know, are experiencing family violence, there are a range of free services and support available to assist you.

Women and children experiencing family violence:

Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service provides 24 hour crisis support and safe accommodation (refuges) for women and their children. Contact them on 1800 015 188 or (03) 9373 0123.

Kids’ Helpline is a nationwide 24 hour telephone support for children and young people. Contact them on 1800 551 800.

Men wanting to end their violence and abuse against family members:

Men’s Referral Service provides information and referral for men who want to change their abusive behaviour. Contact them on 1800 065 973 or (03) 9428 2899 (Monday to Friday 9am – 9 pm).
Visit the Men's Referral Service website for more information at www.mrs.org.au

In an emergency, always call 000 for help.

The Family Violence Protection Act 2008 will:
• Broaden the definition of family violence so that it includes economic and emotional abuse, as well as other types of threatening and controlling behaviour.
• Give police more powers so that they can respond more quickly and effectively to family violence.
• Make it easier for victims of family violence to adjust tenancy arrangements to enable them to remain in their homes if they wish.
• Improve the court system to encourage greater reporting by victims, including restricting perpetrators from cross-examining their victims.
• Better protect vulnerable Victorians.

Visit www.familyviolence.vic.gov.au for more information.