Prevention of Family and Gender Based Violence

In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000)

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign that runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day). It calls for us all to take action to prevent and eliminate all gender-based violence. 

In 2025, Ballarat will take action with “16 Ways for 16 Days” — a community-wide invitation to participate in one meaningful activity each day to promote gender equality and prevent gender-based violence.

Journey through Ballarat as you deepen your understanding of gender equality and your role in preventing gender-based violence.

View the program of events: 16 ways for 16 days: Your Ballarat Journey

This forum invites local men - fathers, coaches, teachers, and community leaders to come together and rethink the rules of masculinity — stereotypes that can contribute to a culture of violence and negatively impact men’s wellbeing and relationships.

Hear from keynote speaker Mitch Brown, former AFL player, as he shares his journey with positive masculinity, mental wellbeing, and the importance of creating safe spaces for men and boys to express vulnerability and authenticity.

View program: Men leading change to prevent violence

Join the City of Ballarat, Women’s Health Grampians, and Respect Victoria in shaping a safer, more respectful future for Ballarat.

Be part of the movement to prevent gender-based violence and influence positive change in your community.

Secure your tickets to this free event

The signs of family violence are not always physical. The behaviours or actions of someone using family violence can be:

• physically or sexually abusive
• emotionally or psychologically abusive
• economically (financially) abusive
• threatening
• coercive
• any other way controls or dominates the family member and causes that family member to feel fear for the safety or wellbeing of that family member or another person 

To learn more about the signs of family violence visit Orange Door Ballarat

Family violence can happen to anyone. It’s not your fault.

Family violence is most commonly carried out by men against women who are their current or former partners in heterosexual relationships. Family violence also occurs in LGBTIQA+ relationships.

Family violence is also carried out by:

• People, including family members, who provide support for people with disabilities
• Adult children against their elderly parent(s)
• Young people against their parents
• Adults against their adult children
• Family members against others in their extended family
  siblings.

You can find statistics about family violence through Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety.

Please call 000 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, please contact the below support services.

Orange Door Central Highlands
Help for people who are experiencing family violence or who need support with the care and wellbeing of children and young people.
Address: 21 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat Central VIC 3350
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
Phone: 1800 219 819
Email: cha@orangedoor.vic.gov.au

Berry Street
Berry Street has provided services to children, young people and families for over 140 years. One of Australia’s largest independent family service organisations.
Address: 23 Wetlands Drive Mount Helen, VIC 3350
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
Phone: (03) 5330 5000
Fax: (03) 5331 7771
Email: receptiongrampians@berrystreet.org.au

WRISC Family Violence Support Inc.
WRISC Family Violence Support Inc. welcomes all women who have experienced or are experiencing violence or abuse, and are in need of assistance
Address: 205 Dana Street, Ballarat, VIC 3350
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
Phone: (03) 5333 3666
Fax: (03) 5332 7778
Email: wrisc@wrisc.org.au

Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative – BADAC
BADAC's Family Violence Services programs are designed to assist and support Men, Women and families experiencing family violence. BADAC supports the health and wellbeing of the Ballarat and District Aboriginal community with a range of holistic services
Address: 108 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat Vic 3350
Phone: (03) 5331 5344

Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA)
Support and advocacy for people who have been impacted by sexual assault
Address: Cnr Vale & Edwards Streets Sebastopol, Vic 3356
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
Phone: (03) 5320 3933
After Hours Crisis Support (24 hours 7 days): 1800 806 292
Email: CASAIntakeInbox@gh.org.au

Grampians Community Health
Services for family violence victim survivors and people who use violence – Ararat focused
Phone: (03) 5358 7400
After Hours Crisis Response: (03) 5331 3558

1800 RESPECT
National counselling helpline, information, and support. 
Hours: 24 hours, 7 Days
Phone: 1800 737 732

Safe Steps 
Counselling service for women and children.
(for female identifying only)
Hours: 24 hours, 7 Days
Phone: 1800 015 188 (for female identifying only)

Sexual Assault Crisis Line
Hours: 24 hours, 7 Days
Phone: 1800 015 188

Rainbow Door
Specialist advice for LGBTIQ+ people and their friends and families.
You can call, text or email Rainbow Door for information, advice and support. 
Phone: 1800 729 367
Text: 0480 017 246
Email: support@switchboard.org.au

Djirra
Culturally safe family violence and legal support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Phone: 1800 105 303

InTouch
inTouch provides services, programs and responses to family violence in migrant and refugee communities
Phone: 1800 755 988

Senior Rights Victoria
Support for older people experiencing or at risk of family violence and elder abuse.
Phone: 1300 368 821

Kids Helpline
Online and phone counselling for young people aged 5 to 25.
Phone: 1800 55 1800

No to Violence Men’s Referral Service
Support for men and their family and friends.
Phone: 1300 766 491

MensLine Australia 
Counselling service for men with family and relationship concerns.
Hours: 24 hours, 7 Days
Phone: 1300 789 978

Provide a safe and private place where you can have a conversation. Ask open-ended questions such as ‘How are things at home?’ and share your observations using non-judgemental language and expressions.

If someone tells you that they are being impacted by family violence:

• Listen without interruption or judgement
• Believe them
• Reassure them that the violence is not their fault and is never okay
• Maintain confidentiality
• Provide information that will support them to make their own choices about what happens next.

For example: "Thank you for sharing your experience with me. No one should have to experience what you have been through. What you choose to do with this information is up to you, but there are support services you can contact if you need to. Can I provide you with contact details?"

Family violence is a serious issue in our community, but it is preventable. The City believes that violence in any form is unacceptable, and aims to stop violence before it starts by creating a community where people of all genders and backgrounds are safe, respected and valued.

To learn more visit the Gender Equality page

The Free from Violence Local Government Program contributes to the Victorian Government’s vision to create a Victoria where everyone experiences equality, respect and lives free from violence.

The Program’s objectives are to:

• Increase awareness and understanding across Victorian councils of the drivers of family violence and all forms of violence against women, and how to stop this violence before it starts in Victorian communities.
• Support Victorian councils to promote positive attitudes, behaviours and culture change in their workplace and through the programs and services they deliver, to prevent family violence and all forms of violence against women.
• Test the appropriateness, usability and effectiveness of the Guide as a tool to support councils to implement and embed a whole-of-council approach to preventing family violence and all forms of violence against women.

City of Ballarat received funding to implement the project from 2024-2027.

For more information contact: freefromviolence@ballarat.vic.gov.au

The Ballarat community saturation model is an initiative with the Ballarat community led by Respect Victoria to prevent gendered violence. It’s about every part of the community coming together to take action and play a role in creating the conditions for a Ballarat where everyone is safe, equal and respected.

City of Ballarat is committed to supporting the Ballarat Community Saturation Model using our many connections within the community.

Visit Respect Victoria, for more information on the Ballarat Community Saturation Model .

• Prevention of Violence and Gender Equality Leadership Statement
• Gender Equality Action Plan 2021-2025