Women and families across the Southern Melbourne region can now access coordinated family violence and family wellbeing services to recover and rebuild - with the Orange Door Network now open.
Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams today officially opened The Orange Door network for Southern Melbourne, which will provide help and support families across Cardinia, Casey and Greater Dandenong.
The Orange Door network in Southern Melbourne is a strong partnership between Anglicare, Dandenong and District Aborigines Co-Operative Ltd, Uniting, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, Wayss Ltd and the Andrews Labor Government.
As well as the Dandenong site, The Orange Door will provide multiple ways to access face-to-face support through an access point to open in Pakenham later this year and a further access point planned for Cranbourne in 2022.
The Orange Door delivers a central access point to access support for family violence and child wellbeing and family services, ranging from crisis assistance, assistance to families under stress, risk assessments, safety planning and immediate wellbeing support for children and families to help access a range of community-based services.
Workers at The Orange Door network can help people access longer term support including case management, financial counselling and legal assistance, and provide advice to professionals, and concerned family members and friends.
A key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence, The Orange Door will be available across Victoria by the end of 2022.
Networks are now operating in 12 areas across the state, with Southern Melbourne joining Central Highlands, Loddon, Barwon, Inner Gippsland, North Eastern Melbourne, Bayside Peninsula, Goulburn, Ovens Murray, Inner Eastern Melbourne, South West and the Mallee.
The Labor Government has invested more than $3.5 billion to end gendered violence in Victoria since the landmark Royal Commission into Family Violence - more than all the states and territories combined and more than the Commonwealth.
More than 170,000 people, including more than 66,000 children, have been helped by Orange Doors since 2018.
The Orange Door network in Southern Melbourne is open Monday to Friday between 9.00am and 5.00pm. More information and contact details are available at orangedoor.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams
"The Orange Door will make a real difference for local women and families by linking and coordinating family violence, child and family services to provide help when and where it is needed - in person, online or over the phone."
"We're ensuring families can access all the help they need to rebuild and recover through the one door because we know navigating multiple services can be hard - especially in times of great stress and trauma."
