The Week Without Violence (WWV) is an annual campaign to end violence against women. Since 1999, the northern metropolitan region (NMR) has marked the week, primarily through the Clothesline Project, where every year, hundreds of people paint and display T-shirts to raise awareness about family violence. This year, the theme for the virtual campaign is ‘Connect, Listen, Believe: Contribute to healthy, happy families in our communities’. This year the WWV will be held between 18-24 October 2021.
Robin Gregory is the Communications and Project Officer for the Northern Integrated Family Violence Services and helps coordinate and promote the Week Without Violence in collaboration with Family Violence Network Convenors across the region. Activities focus on raising awareness, promoting attitude change and enabling individuals and organisations to begin positive actions towards ending violence in their communities.
Are you in danger? If you have been threatened or you are fearful for yourself, a child or a family member, call the police on 000. Do you need help?
These services are still operating during the COVID-19 outbreak. Contact a family violence or sexual assault service on the numbers, below: Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre (24 hours) 1800 015 188 Berry Street Northern Family & Domestic Violence Service (03) 9450 4700 The Orange Door, North East Melbourne 1800 319 355 Northern Centre Against Sexual Assault (03) 9497 1768 National Sexual Assault and Family Violence Counselling Service (24 hours) 1800 RESPECT InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence 1800 755 988 Victorian Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention Legal Service 1800 105 303 Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491 Child Protection Crisis Line 13 12 78
For services throughout Victoria, visit the Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria website. Information During COVID-19 COVID-19 and Family Violence Information for Victim Survivors COVID-19 and Family Violence Information for Family and Friends Safety planning A safety plan is a plan of action for when the risk of harm begins to increase. At a minimum, it should include: • Contact numbers for a family violence organisations (local, statewide and national) • List emergency contact numbers • A safe place to go and a plan to get there • Identifying a friend, family member or neighbour who can assist in an emergency, and how to contact them • Identifying a way to get access to money in an emergency • Identifying a way to access emergency personal care assistance and support if required • Identifying a place to store valuables and important documents so they can be accessed when needed • Eliminating the ability to be tracked via smart phone • Addressing any barriers implementing the safety plan • Any other tactics she is currently using to keep herself safe For safety planning information for people with intellectual disabilities, visit the Tell Someone website. For more information about Safety Plans, visit the 1800 RESPECT website. Internet safety If you are concerned that someone may be tracking or monitoring your internet use, visit the SmartSafe website for technology safety tips and information. Family Violence Intervention Orders A Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO) protects a person from a family member who is using family violence. Find more advice about FVIOs here.
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