• On average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner.
• Intimate partner violence is the greatest health risk factor for women aged 25-44.
• An estimated 1 in 6 women (1.6 million) aged 18 years and over have experienced violence by a partner since the age of 15.
• Young women (18 – 24 years) experience significantly higher rates of physical and sexual violence than women in older age groups.
• Approximately 1 in 4 women (23% or 2.2 million) have experienced violence by an intimate partner since the age of 15.

By making a donation today to support Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre, you will be making a real difference to the lives of the thousands of women and children we assist each year to escape violence and abuse.

Safe Steps is the only 24/7 family violence response centre in Victoria, providing a state-wide entry point for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.

Safe Steps delivers programs at a state and national level. Our services include information and referral, crisis response, specialist family violence risk assessment, safety planning, and access to supported crisis accommodation. 

In the 2019/2020 FY, Safe Steps answered 74,377 calls, where specialist family violence support workers completed comprehensive risk assessments, arranged crisis accommodation, developed safety plans, provided information, and referred women to outreach services, while working closely with Victoria Police to ensure women and children were safe.

How will donations be used?

Your donation will assist women and children who use our vital services by providing a 24/7 family violence response phone line, transportion for woman and children fleeing abuse, crisis accommodation and ongoing support programs.

Key areas of expenditure

Safe Steps responds to women and children at risk by:

• Delivering Victoria’s 24/7 specialist family violence crisis response service, 365 days of the year.
• Individual specialist risk assessments, safety planning and advocacy for victim-survivors including children.
• Access to safe, secure and supported accommodation for those who need it, including through our own highly secure supported family violence crisis accommodation services.
• Lead national provider of free, 24/7 specialist trauma-informed online and phone counselling for all victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence via1800 RESPECT.
• Access to additional wrap-around family violence supports through our Courts, Pets and Disability programs.