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Safe Steps provides the only statewide 24/7, inclusive and confidential, family and domestic violence crisis support service, ensuring help is available whenever you need it most. If you or a person you know is experiencing family or domestic violence, reach out immediately— we’re here to guide you to safety.

Get Help Now

Safe Steps provides the only statewide 24/7, inclusive and confidential, family and domestic violence crisis support service, ensuring help is available whenever you need it most. If you or a person you know is experiencing family or domestic violence, reach out immediately— we’re here to guide you to safety.

Learn More

You're heard,
You're believed,
We're here for you.

If you’re experiencing family and domestic violence, Safe Steps is here to support you. We provide immediate, confidential assistance for individuals in high-risk situations, and unlike other providers, our focus is solely on your safety and well-being. When you contact us, you’re assured that you’ll be believed and treated with respect. We help you understand what to expect when seeking help and can connect you with resources tailored to your needs, including multilingual support.

Safe Steps assists thousands of people every year and we know how difficult it can be to reach out for help. You can trust that when you call us, you’ll be believed and supported every step of the way. We help you navigate your options, develop a safety plan, and connect you with essential services. We can also provide crisis accommodation to people who are at risk.

If you’d like more information before calling us, visit Our Services  page. All Safe Steps services are inclusive, accessible, and confidential. We support all people experiencing family or domestic violence, including people with children and pets.

Your privacy is our priority – if you’re worried about your privacy, explore our Safe Browsing Tips and read our Privacy Statement.

What Happens Next?

1

Step 1: Intake Call

Our Frontline Team answers your call and begins with an initial safety check and plan for a further assessment call with our Family Violence Crisis Specialist. We’ll advise you of your options and get your consent to proceed with your safety plan.
2

Step 2: Assessment

Our Family Violence Crisis Specialist will then do a comprehensive risk assessment over the phone and conduct a thorough safety plan with you. This may involve gathering legal or financial aid, or other support options.
3

Step 3: Safety and Intervention

If you’re in serious risk, we may then bring you into crisis accommodation. This could be a motel or a supported accommodation setting within Safe Steps. If you identify with living with a disability, we continue conversations with our team to seek accessible accommodation and mobility aids. At this point, you’ll then be allocated a Case Manager.
4

Step 4: Supported Crisis Accommodation

If there’s a vacancy, you may be offered a place to stay in one of our supported crisis accommodations across three undisclosed sites. At these sites you’ll receive wrap around supports including a lawyer, nurse, Centerlink Officer, as well as a range of external services. We also offer family support services that focus on rebuilding trust, communication, and safety within the family unit, when appropriate, to support both individual and collective healing.
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Step 5: Safe Pathways

Based on your individual circumstances, there are many options for you when it comes time to leaving crisis accommodation. Options may include longer term accommodation, private rental or a safe return home.
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Read Stories of Strength and Hope from Victim Survivors.

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Call us any time, day or night.

Resources

Types of Abuse

Family and Domestic Violence

Family and domestic violence includes behaviours used to control, intimidate, or harm another person. It takes many forms, from physical and emotional abuse to financial and technological control.

supporting someone experiencing family violence

How to Support Someone

Supporting someone experiencing family and domestic violence can make a powerful difference. Learn how to listen, provide reassurance, and connect them to resources that offer safety and hope.

Your safety is our priority

Safety Planning

When experiencing family and domestic violence, having a safety plan helps you to regain control and protect yourself and your family. This includes planning safe ways to leave volatile situations, accessing essential crisis care items, and identifying trusted sources of support to stay safe.

Every year, we respond to thousands of high-risk calls from people needing immediate help. Your support enables us to provide life-saving assistance to individuals escaping family and domestic violence.

130,000

Around 130,000 contacts handled (FY24)
(Live Chat, email, phone)

Each call, chat or email represents someone in need of urgent support, whether seeking advice, safety, or referrals to further services.

33,000

Around 33,000 nights of crisis
accommodation provided (FY24)

Safe Steps offers a temporary refuge for those escaping immediate danger, ensuring that help seekers have a safe space to recover and build a safe pathway out of a violent situation.

90

Approximately 90 help seeks offered safety each night (FY24)

Each night we offer safety for anyone experiencing family or domestic violence and who are at serious risk requiring immediate protection.

DonateImpact Reports

News

Everything you need know about Safe Steps including news, stories and program updates.

Our FY24 Impact Report is now live
Our FY24 Impact Report is now live

Our FY24 Impact Report is now live

To mark another year of growth, innovation and unwavering commitment to delivering Victoria’s 24/7 family…
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Safe Steps achieves Rainbow Tick Accreditation   
Safe Steps achieves Rainbow Tick Accreditation   

Safe Steps achieves Rainbow Tick Accreditation   

In September 2024, Safe Steps proudly achieved our Rainbow Tick Accreditation, marking a significant milestone…
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Leading shelter practices from Europe
Leading shelter practices from Europe

Leading shelter practices from Europe

Chelsea Tobin shares an article about some of the progressive refuges she has seen in…
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Safe Steps Flags

Safe Steps respectfully acknowledges and celebrates the Traditional Owners of the lands throughout Victoria and pays respects to their Elders of past, current and future generations. 

Safe Steps is committed to ensuring diversity, inclusion and equity are embedded throughout our organisation for the benefit of our clients and our staff. We are committed to a focus on recognising and eliminating discrimination in the services we deliver. Read our Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Statement here.

Safe Steps is committed to creating and maintaining a Child Safe Organisation; ensuring obligations to meet the Child Safe Standards and Reportable Conduct Scheme requirements, as codified by the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic). You can read more about this commitment in our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy here.

Victoria State Government Logo

Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre is supported by the Victorian Government.