What is family violence?

Often when people think of family violence, they only think of physical or sexual abuse. Family violence also encompasses any behaviour that occurs in family, household or intimate relationships that is physically or sexually abusive; emotionally or psychologically abusive; threatening or coercive; or is in any other way controlling that causes a person to live in fear for their safety or wellbeing or that of another person.

In relation to children, family violence is also defined as behaviour by any person that causes a child to hear or witness or otherwise be exposed to the effects of the above behaviour.

The Orange Door – specialist family violence service

As part of our role in The Orange Door, Kids First’s team members work with individuals and families who are experiencing family violence.

Every day, team members at NEMA Orange Door empower women as victim survivors of family violence. Often this begins with the act of listening. To hear and believe a woman’s story and to acknowledge her bravery in keeping herself and her children safe. She has survived. We can partner with her to build on this strength.

We recognise autonomy and decision making, providing a range of choices, and respecting all the decisions women make, while ensuring that a childs safety and wellbeing is not compromised.

We work through brokerage options providing immediate practical support to get women back on their feet. This can include accessing safe interim accommodation or making their own home safer. And we are there to link clients into our family services where we will continue to support them with counselling, accessing legal and financial services and finding long term housing options.

The Orange Door offers a unique approach where both the emotional and practical needs of victim survivors can be explored. And a new start can emerge.

1 in 5

Victorian women experiences family violence throughout their lifetime

1,126

Average monthly phone calls made to NEMA Orange Door

Recently one of our team members worked with a woman who had been in a very long term and abusive relationship since she was young.

She had never managed her own money. So it was a huge first step for her to do something many of us would take for granted and did when we were young - she got her own bank account.

It took months of engagement and work, but she was so happy when she was able to do this and deposit her own money."

Family violence & The Orange Door

Purpose

What is family violence?

The Orange Door – specialist family violence service

Kids First NEMA Orange Door team member