fbpx
1800 015 188

Safe Steps to a Safe Place through Priceline Pharmacies

Home is not always a safe place. If your partner, or any other family member, is behaving in a way that makes you fear for your safety, or the safety of your children or pets, it is likely to be a form of family violence.

There are safe ways for you to reach out for help, even if you are in lockdown with someone who monitors or controls your behaviour, or who uses violence, threats and other forms of abuse. 

If you ask staff at participating Priceline Pharmacies in Victoria for “safe steps”, they will be able to provide you with access to a safe place that has a secure phone line so that you can speak to a Family Violence Crisis Specialist at Safe Steps.

You can find out more about this initiative below.

Please note: If you are concerned that your use of the internet is being monitored, we recommend that you use private browsing or incognito mode when visiting this website. Find out how to clear your browsing history here.

If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 000.

FAQS

What is family violence?
Family violence is any threatening, coercive, dominating or abusive behaviour that occurs between people in a family, domestic or intimate relationship, or former intimate relationship, that causes the person experiencing the behaviour to feel fear.

Family violence is not just physical or sexual abuse. It can include controlling and coercive behaviours such as making threats, monitoring you, limiting your contact with other people, stopping you from accessing care, or controlling the way you get and spend money.

How will staff at Priceline Pharmacy help me?
When you ask a Priceline staff member for “safe steps” they will be able to provide you with access to a safe place that has a secure phone line so that you can call our service. There will also be information for you to find out more about family violence.
Which Priceline Pharmacies are participating?

Priceline Pharmacy Swan Hill
Priceline Pharmacy Fountain Gate
Priceline Sanctuary Lakes
Priceline Pharmacy Benalla
Priceline Pharmacy Prahran
Priceline Pharmacy Balaclava
Priceline Pharmacy Ballarat
Priceline Pharmacy Echuca Square
Priceline Pharmacy Mildura
Priceline Geelong West
Priceline Pharmacy Sunshine Marketplace
Priceline Pharmacy Mooroolbark
Priceline Pharmacy Maryborough
Priceline Pharmacy Ararat
Priceline Pharmacy Horsham
Priceline Pharmacy The Pines
Priceline Pharmancy Box Hill
Priceline Pharmacy Cairnlea
Priceline Pharmacy Shepparton Marketplace
Priceline Pharmacy Wyndham St Shepparton

What happens when I call Safe Steps?
You will reach a Family Violence Crisis Specialist, who will support you to understand your family violence risks and explore your options.

This may be your first step in seeking safety. It might be the first time you speak about what is happening behind closed doors. Know that this is what we do each day and we are here to support you, at your pace, to begin taking steps towards safety.

How do I get support or information in a language other than English?
We can arrange to speak to you with the help of a telephone interpreter. All you need to do is call us and tell us:

  • Your phone number
  • Your language
  • When it is safe to call

If someone you know is unable to speak English to give us this information, you can call with them or call us for more information.

I can’t make a call now. Can I come back?
Yes. You can return to the same Priceline Pharmacy within their opening hours to seek support. You can also contact Safe Steps via your local police station or hospital at any time of the day or night.

Even under the current lockdown measures, you are allowed to leave your home at any time to seek safety from family violence and domestic abuse. If you are stopped by police, tell them you are feeling unsafe at home and they will help you.

You can contact us 24/7 on 1800 015 188 and safesteps@safesteps.org.au or via live web chat on weekdays between 9am and 9pm.

I’m worried about someone I know. Should I tell them to come to a Priceline Pharmacy?
If you are concerned that someone you know is experiencing family violence, let them know that there are many ways they can get help, including:

  • Calling our 24/7 crisis line directly, if it is safe for them to to do so, on 1800 015 188
  • Emailing a family violence crisis specialist at safesteps@safesteps.org.au
  • Using live web chat Monday – Friday between 9am and 9pm at safesteps.org.au/chat
  • Asking staff at participating Priceline Pharmacies for “safe steps”

Let them know that they are allowed to leave their house at any time to seek safety from family violence. They can also contact Safe Steps via their local police station or hospital at any time of the day or night.

I do not need support for family violence, but I would like more information. Who can I contact?
If you have further questions about this initiative, please send them to comms@safesteps.org.au