Support And Safety Hub Locked In For Goulburn

  • Minister for Prevention of Family Violence

Victorians at risk of or escaping family violence in the Goulburn region will have access to coordinated vital specialist services as the primary site for the region’s new Orange Door network is secured.

Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams today announced a site at a newly leased building in Shepparton would be home to a new Orange Door.

This vital coordination point makes it easier for victim survivors of family violence to get help by bringing together workers from specialist family violence, child and family, Aboriginal and men’s services.

The Orange Door will provide help and support for people living across Goulburn region from early next year. The area will be further supported by the establishment of an access point in the Mitchell Shire.

It is a partnership between the Victorian Government’s Family Safety Victoria and local service providers including Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative, FamilyCare, Primary Care Connect and Nexus Primary Health.

Five locations of The Orange Doors have already opened across the state – Barwon (Geelong), Inner Gippsland (Morwell), North East Melbourne (Heidelberg), Bayside Peninsula (Frankston), Mallee (Mildura).

Orange Door services can also be accessed via access points in Colac and Swan Hill as part of a network of support services being established across the state.

Since the Orange Door first began operations in 2018, more than 91,100 people have been referred or directly sought help for family violence or for the care and wellbeing of children across Victoria, including more than 35,200 children.

The Orange Door services are funded by a $448 million investment by the Government – part of a record $2.9 billion investment to address family violence following the Royal Commission into Family Violence. As at 31 December 2019, 154 of the 227 Royal Commission recommendations have been completed.

The Orange Door is continuing to operate during the coronavirus pandemic. The Government also recently provided $40.2 million to address increased risk of family violence during coronavirus and for increased access to safe housing and related support for anyone needing a safe place.

The Orange Door is a free service and is open Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm. More information is available at orangedoor.vic.gov.au

As stated by Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams

“We’re pleased to announce that a site has been secured in Shepparton. This means we are now a step closer to opening The Orange Door early next year to help and support the people of Goulburn.”

“Preventing and responding to family violence continues to be a key priority of the Victorian Government.”

“We’re working hard to ensure women and children across Goulburn can access all the services that they need in a safe, welcoming place.”

/Public Release. View in full here.