Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected at home and in the community, this year is no exception.
That’s why Your Community Health stands together with victim survivors and the broader community to say ‘there are no excuses for violence’.
As restrictions slowly begin to ease in Melbourne, we have seen widespread impacts of COVID-19 across our community, including an increase in the overall rates of family violence & the demand for specialist support services. This year during Week Without Violence, we would like to share some powerful stories of strength and resilience from local women who have survived family violence. We hope that these stories will empower & inspire other women who may need some extra support.
If you or someone you know needs support, remember you are not alone. We are here to support you and make sure you can access all the services you need.
Every day victim survivors of family violence are forced to make a number of decisions in order to reduce risk and manage the safety of themselves and their family. This takes a large amount of courage, strength and resilience.
We would like to thank all of the women who shared their experiences of family violence as part of the Celebrating Strength and Resilience project. This project was developed by Your Community Health to give victim survivors an opportunity to tell their story in their own words.
Drawings of strength and resilience
The women were asked to paint their interpretation of strength and resilience onto a small canvas. The 12 canvases then match up using bold black lines that represent a map of Darebin, demonstrating how these women and their stories are connected. The final piece is pictured below.
Celebrating strengths and resilience documentary
This 30-minute film was made with five clients of the counselling service and builds on the artwork above. By exploring each individual’s unique journey, the video highlights how women live in, cope with and survive family violence. It also introduces a number of factors that can impact women’s choices about staying in or leaving a relationship.
The film also aims to provide family, friends and staff with information about what may be helpful in talking to or working with women who have experienced family violence.
Reach out for help
If you are in immediate danger call 000.
Contact us today to book an appointment with a counsellor or to get more information about our support services.
For family violence support 24 hours a day contact:
- Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre on 1800 015 188
- Yarning SafeNStrong (Indigenous service) – 1800 959 563
- 1800 RESPECT – 1800 737732
Specialist Family Violence Services:
- The Orange Door (Generalist crisis service) on 1800 319 355
- W/ Respect (LGBTQIA+ support) on 1800 542 847
- Djirra (Indigenous support) on 1800 105 303
- InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence on 1800 755 988
- Men’s Referral Service (support for men) on 1300 766 491
Week Without Violence is from 18-24 October 2020 and 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.