Step-by-step guide for Aboriginal people in the Mallee region who need to escape family violence and find safe accommodation.
I need to leave home safely
You deserve to be safe. If you’re in danger right now, call 000. If you can’t call, try to get to a neighbour, a shop, or any public place.
This guide is for you if you need to leave your home because someone is violent or threatening towards you. It covers what to do in the immediate crisis and who to contact in the Mallee region.
Step 1: If you are in immediate danger, call 000
Police will come to you. They will help you get to safety. You don’t need to have answers for them — just tell them you’re not safe. If you have children with you, bring them. Children are not taken away just because you go to a women’s refuge — this is a common fear that stops people leaving. It is not what happens.
Step 2: Call Safe Steps — 1800 015 188
Safe Steps is Victoria’s family violence crisis line. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can:
- Talk you through your safety options
- Arrange crisis accommodation for you and your children
- Connect you with a support worker
Tell them:
- Where you are
- Whether you have children with you
- Whether you need medical attention
You do not need to have a plan already. They will help you work it out.
Step 3: Call Djirra — 1800 342 963
Djirra is the Aboriginal-specific family violence service. They provide legal help, emotional support, and practical assistance for Aboriginal women and children experiencing family violence. They can also help if you’re dealing with intervention orders, custody issues related to family violence, or housing after leaving.
Ask to speak to someone about your situation — they deal with this every day.
Step 4: Go to Swan Hill District Health if you are injured
If you have any injuries — even minor ones — go to Swan Hill District Health on (03) 5033 0555 or go to the emergency department. Tell them what happened. They will document it and this can be important later for intervention orders or legal proceedings.
Step 5: Contact MDAS family services
MDAS (Mildura Aboriginal Corporation) has a family services team that covers the whole Mallee region, including Swan Hill. Ring (03) 5023 5023 and ask for family services. They can help with:
- Advocacy with other services
- Help navigating housing and Centrelink
- Counselling
- Support with children
Step 6: If you need an Intervention Order
An Intervention Order (IO) is a court order that tells the violent person to stay away from you. Swan Hill Community Legal Centre can help you apply for one: (03) 5032 1688. VALS (Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service) can also help with legal matters related to family violence: 1800 641 072.
Step 7: Crisis accommodation
Crisis accommodation exists for you and your children. When you call Safe Steps or Djirra, they will organise this. It is short-term — usually enough time to get you into longer-term housing. The worker helping you will also help connect you with longer-term housing support.
Safe accommodation is available. You don’t have to go through this alone.
Key numbers
- 000 — Emergency (police, ambulance, fire)
- 1800 015 188 — Safe Steps (family violence crisis line, 24/7)
- 1800 342 963 — Djirra (Aboriginal family violence service)
- (03) 5033 0555 — Swan Hill District Health
- (03) 5032 1688 — Swan Hill CLC
- 1800 641 072 — VALS (legal help, free for Aboriginal people)