Emergency accommodation can be accessed 24 hours a day, every day of the year in every region and area.  As “The Orange Door” (TOD) is now established in Maryborough the best contact during business hours is 1800 512 359 and after hours Safe Steps 1800 015 188.   Assistance can also be sought from Maryborough District Health Service.

There are many different accommodation options including supports to help you stay safely in your home if this is more relevant to your situation.

How will I be safe there?

The support services that will assist you in finding accommodation will consider your individual circumstances and any risks to your safety.  This will help determine the best accommodation and what other service providers may need to assist you during transition including Vic Police.

The location of emergency accommodation is not publicised and your privacy and confidentiality are always a top priority for support services.  At assessment it will be determined whether it is best to remain in your local area or be relocated elsewhere for your safety.

Can I bring my pets?

Your pet’s safety is a concern for us too. Pets can be a huge deterrent for family violence victims seeking help or feeling like help is available. If the emergency accommodation available to you is not able to host your pets there is dedicated funding and resourcing to accommodate pets through councils and specialist family violence services regionally until you can access and get settled in more permanent accommodation.  Speak to the support services about what options are available to you locally.

Centre for Non-Violence does have the capacity to ensure that pets are accommodated, however pets are not permitted in motels and most caravan parks.

Will I have to share with other people?

Emergency accommodation includes a range of options, including motels, units and transitional housing.  You can talk to the support service about your personal needs and they will work with you to assess your safety and specific accommodation needs.

Now that TOD is based in Maryborough, they are the best place to offer holistic support and referrals alternatively speak to the Maryborough District Health Service.  The health service has been proactive in its approach to supporting family violence victims and are well placed to help you get the support services you need locally.

.If you prefer to speak to someone outside of our community you can contact Centre for Non-Violence directly.

Along with this there are many state-wide services across the state and nationally, you can call at any time, on any day to access support.  Please refer to the useful contacts page on the main website for a full list of suggested support organisations.

TOD and Centre for Non-Violence provides specialist family violence support and accommodation options across the Loddon region to women and children experiencing family violence and also for men using violence within the family context.

Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre provide a state-wide service for intervention, support and advocacy. They are a 24/7 service and provide afterhours services and regional responses.

1800 RESPECT provide a confidential information, counselling and support service. Open 24 hours to support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.

Key contact numbers:

• TOD Bendigo (which encompasses Maryborough) 1800 512 359
• TOD Ballarat (particularly for Avoca residents) 1800 219 819
• Centre for Non-Violence (CNV) 1800 884 292 or 5430 3000
• Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS) 5461 0333
• 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
• Safe Steps: 1800 015 188 (24 hrs)
• Lifeline 13 11 14

Your first contact point could be either through the Orange Door (TOD), Centre for non-violence (CNV) or Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS).  These services will ensure you are put in contact with the correct people to help you with your individual needs.  1800 RESPECT and Safe Steps can be called after hours.

MDHS are our local support network will ensure you are connected with the right services to support you both in our local community and in other locations if this is needed. They are in close contact with family violence support services. TOD /CNV are located within walking distance from the health service and offer services to women, children and men.

If you are not comfortable in speaking to someone in your local community you can reach out to 1800 Respect, Safe Steps or Lifeline.  You will talk to a trained clinician who will listen and support you in what feels right for you and your situation.   They will work with you to help you identify what you can do and to find the right services or support for you.   You can also speak to someone online at www.1800respect.org.au.   Please refer to the useful contacts page on the main website for a full list of suggested support organisations.

There is specialist family violence and accommodation support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to immediate risk and safety needs.  Police and/or other services will ask you questions to assess your risk and safety needs and offer services to support you.

If you are experiencing family violence, you are fearful and/or have been threatened please call police on 000 for an immediate response. 

There are a number of organisations that could assist you financially when fleeing an abusive relationship.  Talking with a local service provider (as detailed on the contacts page) is a good starting point as they will be able to link you to organisations that can provide financial support.

In Maryborough and surrounds you could call the following services:

• Salvation Army – 5461 2789
• Anglicare – 5440 1100

Below are a few additional programs that may be able to help you if you would like to talk to them directly.

To find out what financial support you can receive from Centrelink visit:

• servicesaustralia.gov.au/family-and-domestic-violence
• servicesaustralia.gov.au/crisis-payment-for-extreme-circumstances-family-and-domestic-violence

Currently (2022) there is a program called ‘The Escaping Violence Payment Program’ which offers financial assistance (up to $5000) and confidential support for people who have recently left a violent intimate partner. It will help you move forward and set up a home that’s free from violence.

Details on the program can be found at https://www.unitingvictas.org.au/services/family-services/family-violence-services/escaping-violence-payment/

Counselling and group work services are available to support you.  You can ask the Maryborough District Health Service or another support service to refer you, find a counsellor yourself, or ask your doctor for a referral.  Free or low-cost counselling may be available through local community health centres.

Specialist family violence services provide groups to support recovery, counselling and support for women and children experiencing family violence.  In Loddon, you can call the Centre for Non-Violence to find out about groups and individual counselling for women and children and Men’s Behaviour Change groups.

Key contact numbers:

• TOD Bendigo (which encompasses Maryborough) 1800 512 359
• TOD Ballarat (particularly for Avoca residents) 1800 219 819
• Centre for Non-Violence (CNV) 1800 884 292 or 5430 3000
• Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS) 5461 0333
• National sexual assault and domestic and family violence counselling service 1800RESPECT (1800 377 321) 24 hours
• Safe steps Family Violence Response Centre provide telephone counselling Tel 1800 015 188 (24 hrs)
• WIRE Women’s Information & Referral Exchange Tel 1300 134 130
• Lifeline- Tel: 131 114 (24 hours)
• Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) Crisis service for victim/survivors who have been sexually assaulted. Tel: 1800 806 292 (24 hours)

Your specialist support services will help you work through all your needs including the safety of your children.  There are programs in place that can provide educational support for children who cannot attend school due to risk and safety concerns.    Schools can also provide support to ensure children are safe and protected including the understanding about safety concerns and intervention order conditions.    Children can have their own safety plans that support their safety and wellbeing, often the school need to know about any protective and safety concerns and measures in place to support them.

If you are looking at new schools, talk to your support service about safety needs and/or make contact with the school principal to have a tour of the school and determine what requirements are needed.

The police are able to assess your safety (and that of your family) including any future risks.  The police can put in place immediately, safety notices that will assist in keeping you safe.  If required, though the court system, you can also apply for an Intervention order.

With an intervention order the magistrate can include any conditions they believe are needed to keep your family members safe. The orders also support your children or anyone else who supports your family members and may be considered at risk.

The orders can include conditions that prevents the respondent (the person who is using violence) from:

• Hurting or threatening to hurt your family member
• Behaving in an offensive manner towards them
• Harassing, stalking or intimidating them
• Coming near them, their home, school or their work (usually a safe nominated distance)
• Telephoning or contacting them
• Damaging or threatening to damage their property
• Getting someone else to hurt or threatened them to do any of the things in the order
• Having a gun or another weapon

a) Will I have to go to court?

• What will happen?
• Who can help me?

Your individual situation will determine if you are required to attend court.  It’s a good idea to get support as you move through the court process by inviting a friend, and/or working with a specialist family violence agency who can provide court support for you at all regional locations.  We recommend you make contact with specialist services and/or seek support prior to attending court or applying for an intervention order.  The Magistrates Court in your area can help you to access services and support applications.

Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Service can assist with free legal assistance and support to people who are victims of family violence and who are applying for an intervention order.

Key contacts

• Women’s Legal Service provide legal advice and information for women experiencing family violence. Tel: 1800 133 302
• Maryborough Magistrates Court – Tel: (03) 5411 2100 – available Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 4pm .
• Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Service have offices within MDHS and can be contacted on 54610475 or through the Bendigo office: 5445 0909  or 1800 450 909.
• Legal Aid Victoria Tel: 1300 792 387 legalaid.vic.gov.au
• Magistrates Court of Victoria – information on Intervention Orders mcv.vic.gov.au/family-matters/family-violence-intervention-orders-fvio