When you call Safe Steps, the first thing our Family Violence Crisis Specialists will do is believe you and listen to your concerns. They will then assess your safety and explore options to keep you, your children, and pets safe – whether you decide to stay or leave the relationship.
What Happens Next
Your safety is our priority.
What to Expect When You Call
Your Next Steps
Sunny’s Story
Sunny (31) moved to Australia with her husband, Tan in 2014
hoping for a better life. They had three children, but soon after settling, Tan’s behaviour changed. He became violent, controlling, and threatened to remove her from his visa application. After enduring physical and sexual abuse, Sunny reached out to us, where we assessed her as being at imminent risk. She entered emergency accommodation, then moved to Virginia’s Place, where she received legal, income, and child custody support. With our help, Sunny was reunited with her children and started building a path to independence.
Our Impact
Facts and figures that demonstrate Safe Steps’ impact on the lives of those seeking support for family and domestic violence situations.
Facts & Figures:
- Clients contact us via our 1800 number, referrals through 1800 RESPECT, The Orange Door or from local family violence services.
- Approximately 60% of calls each year are considered “Serious” or “Serious Risk Requiring Immediate Protection.
Facts & Figures:
- Approximately 60% of calls to Safe Steps are assessed as ‘Serious Risk’ or ‘Serious Risk Requiring Immediate Protection’ which means they need immediate support.
- Our specialists conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to understand your unique needs.
Facts & Figures:
- We offer transportation services to help clients travel comfortably and securely from regional to metropolitan areas around Victoria.
- 10% of adults who stayed at Sanctuary in the last year lived with a disability.
Facts & Figures:
- 68% of adults and children staying at Sanctuary identify as culturally and linguistically diverse.
- Sanctuary supported 128 adults and 177 children with wraparound, in-reach support including financial, legal, and child support services.
Facts & Figures:
In the last 12 months:
- 12% of residents who stayed at Sanctuary moved in with friends and family.
- 123 adults and 174 children made safe transitions into other safe accommodation after leaving Sanctuary.
- *Less than 2% of residents have re-engaged with crisis support since leaving Sanctuary.
- *63% of residents who stayed at Sanctuary moved into refuge accommodation.
- *9% of residents who stayed at Sanctuary moved back home with Safe @ Home measures in place.
You’re not alone
Call us any time, day or night
24/7 Family & Domestic Violence Crisis Support
Safe Steps understands that everybody’s situation is unique. Our Family & Domestic Violence Crisis Specialists are trained to provide confidential support and address your specific needs. This includes safety planning, crisis accommodation, and referrals to legal and counselling services. We ensure your safety and privacy every step of the way.
24/7 Family & Domestic Violence Crisis Support Phone Line
For high-risk situations requiring crisis support.
Safe Steps operates Victoria’s only 24/7 Family and domestic violence crisis support service, providing confidential, round-the-clock assistance every day of the year. If you or someone you know is experiencing family and domestic violence, you can reach out to our compassionate team at any time by calling 1800 015 188.
Family and domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, or sexuality, and it’s never okay. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home, and we’re here to support you.
If you’ve been threatened or you’re fearful for yourself, a child or a family member – call 000.
When you call, our trained Family Violence Crisis Specialists will:
- Help you understand and assess your family and domestic
violence risks. - Explore personalised safety options tailored to your needs.
- Connect you to relevant services, whether it’s crisis accommodation, legal
advice, or other support.
For non-English speakers
If you or someone you care about is experiencing family violence and speaks limited or no 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 for them to help arrange a follow-up telephone call.
Live Chat Support
For anyone who prefers online support or cannot safely make a call.
Our Live Chat offers a safe, private space to connect with our Family Violence Crisis Specialists. Whether you need advice, support, or just someone to talk to, our team is available from 9 AM to midnight, Monday to Friday (except on national and Victorian public holidays).
You can access this service anonymously, and steps are in place to ensure your safety and privacy throughout the conversation. Our Team is available to chat with anyone experiencing or afraid of family and domestic violence.
If you have an enquiry but don’t need family and domestic violence support, please use the contact information listed here instead of starting a web chat.
To access our Live Chat support, click the Live Chat Icon in the bottom-right corner of your screen during operating hours. If you need to end the chat at any point, click the QUICK EXIT button in the top-right corner. This will immediately close the chat and redirect you to a browser home page, erasing your chat history from your device.
For extra safety, we recommend closing your browser window afterwards. This helps ensure no one can see you were on the website, even if they hit the ‘back’ button on your browser.
For general enquiries about donations, services or programs, please use the general enquiries line.
Phone: 03 9928 9647
Email: admin@safesteps.org.au
Media enquiries: media@safesteps.org.au
Support for Safe Steps enquiries including donations: fundraising@safesteps.org.au
General marketing and communications enquiries: comms@safesteps.org.au
Please note this service doesn’t provide family and domestic violence crisis support – our specialists on the 24/7 crisis support phone line or Live Chat are here for those experiencing family and domestic violence.
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.
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre is supported by the Victorian Government.
