Safety programs

Beware of misleading websites

The Department of Social Services are aware of unauthorised websites containing misleading and inaccurate information about the Escaping Violence Payment trial and Leaving Violence Program, some of which may appear as search results through web browsers. Some of these websites have hyperlinked information about one-off $5,000 payments through the Leaving Violence Program. You should not click on links from these websites or provide personal information that may put you at risk. This includes contact initiated through social media offering Escaping Violence Payment trial or Leaving Violence Program payments, either from an unfamiliar account or from an existing ‘friend’ contact profile that has been taken over by a scammer.

Information about the Escaping Violence Payment trial or Leaving Violence Program should only be obtained from trusted sources, such as this website, the UnitingCare Network, the Australian Red Cross and Commonwealth funded Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Support Services.

If you are concerned about scam attempts in relation to the Escaping Violence Payment trial or Leaving Violence Program, do not provide any personal or financial information.  You can report it to the Department of Social Services, contact fraud@dss.gov.au.

For further advice on scams is available from the National Anti-Scam Centre: Scamwatch

Countering violence against women is a shared responsibility and requires a national response. The Commonwealth Government sets the national policy agenda and provides a number of services that can assist people experiencing family or domestic violence, including support through the social security system, as well as housing, health, education and legal assistance services.

States and Territories are primarily responsible for the delivery of frontline services, and for the administration of justice and child protection responses. These include specialist domestic violence services, perpetrator programs, emergency accommodation, generalist services (e.g. health services, family relationships services), and police and the court system.

Specific programs funded by the Australian Government include:

1800 RESPECT - 1800 737 732

1800RESPECT: the National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Service (1800 737 732 / www.1800RESPECT.org.au) is a free and confidential telephone and online counselling service staffed by professional counsellors to assist any person who has experienced, or is at risk of sexual assault and/or family and domestic violence. The service offers:

  • First response and online counselling, provided by experienced, qualified counsellors with a three-year tertiary qualification in a related field and a minimum of two years full-time counselling experience.
  • Trauma specialist counselling, provided by experienced, qualified counsellors with a three-year tertiary qualification in a related field and three years minimum specialist trauma counselling experience or full-time equivalent experience in specialised sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling of people from diverse backgrounds and locations.
  • Sector support through a range of online resources such as a digital toolkit for frontline workers and regular webinars.
  • A range of service enhancement projects in collaboration with research and sector representatives to improve access for people with complex access requirements.
  • Engagement with the sector and state and territory governments.
  • A website with important information for those affected by domestic or family violence, their friends and family.
  • Daisy mobile phone app provides information on domestic and family violence services available in a person’s local area.
  • Sunny mobile phone app for women with disability who have experienced or are at risk of violence to learn about violence, know their rights and reach for support.

DV-alert

DV-alert is a free nationally accredited training program designed to help health, allied health and community frontline workers better understand and identify domestic and family violence and improve their referral and support skills. More information about domestic and family violence training can be found at DV-alert.

Keeping Women Safe in their Homes

Keeping Women Safe in their Homes is an Australian Government initiative that funds state and territory governments and select providers to help women and their children who have experienced family and domestic violence to remain in their homes or a home of their choosing, when it is safe and appropriate to do so. It is a key initiative under the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.

National standards for the primary prevention of sexual assault through education

In 2008, the development of best practice models of primary prevention education in the field of sexual assault was still in its infancy in Australia. The National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence (NASASV) was funded to develop a National Sexual Assault Prevention Education Framework including Six National Standards for effective sexual assault prevention education informed by research and consultation with specialist service providers.

The Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) national trial

The EVP national trial aims to reduce the barrier of financial insecurity individuals face when leaving a violent intimate partner relationship.

The EVP trial supports eligible victim-survivors with individualised packages of up to $5,000 in financial assistance to leave a violent intimate partner relationship. The financial assistance includes up to $1,500 in cash or cash equivalent and the remainder in goods, services and supports.

The financial assistance can be used to pay bills, relocation expenses, furnishings, white goods, counselling and legal services. The EVP trial complements existing services by linking victim-survivors with relevant supports through other Commonwealth or state and territory government funded services.

To be eligible for the EVP, individuals (of any gender or identity) must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, aged 18 years or older, experiencing financial stress and be the victim of intimate partner violence that has resulted in a changed living arrangement in the last 12 weeks.

The changed living arrangement can be if the victim-survivor has had to move from the residence, if the person using violence has moved or been excluded from the residence, or for a victim-survivor with a safety plan to leave the residence. 

The UnitingCare Network is delivering the Escaping Violence Payment trial to individuals Australia-wide.

The EVP trial will be extended to 30 June 2025 whilst the Leaving Violence Program is established.

EVP Place-Based Trial

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander place-based trial of the EVP provides specialised and culturally appropriate support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victim-survivors of intimate partner violence in the Cairns region, including Cape York, the Torres Strait, and the Atherton Tablelands.

The Remote Area Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Care (RAATSICC) Advisory Association, an Indigenous-led organisation located in the Cairns region, is delivering the place-based trial. Further information on the EVP place-based trial, including how to apply can be found at Remote Area Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Care (RAATSICC).

Temporary Visa Holders Experiencing Violence Pilot

The Temporary Visa Holders Experiencing Violence Pilot (TVP) provides eligible temporary visa holders experiencing family and domestic violence with financial assistance packages of up to $5,000 for goods and services, as well as access to legal support for migration and family law through nine Women’s and Community Legal Centres.

Information about accessing financial assistance for temporary visa holders is available from the Australian Red Cross.

The TVP will be extended to 30 June 2025 whilst the Leaving Violence Program is established.

Further information and resources

If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you call the Men’s Referral Service on  1300 766 491 or visit the Men’s Referral Service online. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Last updated: