The Andrews Labor Government is making family violence support even easier with increased access to support services in the Loddon region.
Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams today announced the Loddon Orange Door network is expanding, with the Maryborough and District Hospital to provide Orange Door services from September.
The Orange Door network in Loddon opened at the beginning of October 2020 and provided a response for more than 6000 Victorians, including more than 2000 children in the first eight months of operation.
The Orange Door network provides multiple ways to access face-to-face support with another access point planned for Echuca and outposted services planned for Macedon Ranges and Loddon Shire.
The Orange Door network brings together workers from specialist family violence, child and family, Aboriginal and men's services to provide help and support for people experiencing family violence and for parents and carers needing support with the wellbeing and development of children and young people.
The Labor Government has partnered with Anglicare Victoria, Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative, Centre for Non-Violence and Njernda Aboriginal Corporation to deliver the Orange Door network in Loddon.
The Orange Door network is currently operating in eight regions across Victoria, including the Central Highlands, Loddon, Barwon, Inner Gippsland, North East Melbourne, Bayside Peninsula and Mallee. The remaining nine areas will be open by the end of next year.
The $448 million Orange Door network is an Australian-first initiative that has helped more than 140,000 people, including more than 55,000 children, since first opening in 2018.
The initiative is part of the Labor Government's record more than $3.5 billion investment to end gendered violence in Victoria following the Royal Commission into Family Violence - more than the Commonwealth and all the states and territories combined.
The Orange Door network in Loddon is a free service and can be contacted on 1800 512 359 or via [email protected] from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). For more information, visit: orangedoor.vic.gov.au.
For 24/7 family violence help and support, contact Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 or webchat safesteps.org.au/chat Monday through Friday, 9am to 9pm. Anyone concerned about their own behaviour can contact the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
As stated by Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams
"Everyone deserves to be safe at home but for too many Victorians this still isn't the case. To change that, we aren't wasting a moment and we are pushing ahead with our vital reforms."
Quote attributable Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards
The expansion of the Loddon Orange Door Network will provide much needed family violence and wellbeing support for families across the region, closer to home."
