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Responding to family violence

Family violence is a health issue. Everyone has the right to feel safe at home.

At Mercy Health, we understand family violence.  We know it is a complex and serious community issue, most commonly experienced by women and their children. Family violence has both immediate and long-term impacts across the lifespan on the physical, psychological and social health and wellbeing of those affected.

As a health service we recognise the unique position Mercy Health is in when responding to family violence. We are committed to reducing the incidence of family violence and its impact on individuals, families, the community and the health system through our care.

If are experiencing family violence our staff can help.

 

Contacts and resources

If you are in immediate help or are in danger, please contact 000.

Safe Steps

  • Phone numbers:

    Safe Steps
    1800 015 188

  • Website: www.safesteps.org.au
  • About:

    Safe steps is Victoria’s state-wide first response service for women, young people and children experiencing family violence. Phone contact is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

1800-RESPECT

  • Phone numbers:

    1800-RESPECT
    1800 737 732

  • Website: www.1800respect.org.au
  • About:

    1800RESPECT is a free national sexual assault and domestic family violence counselling service. Telephone counselling is available 24/7.

Translating and Interpreter Service (TIS)

  • Phone numbers:

    Translating and Interpreter Service (TIS)
    131 450

  • Website: TIS National
  • About:

    The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is an interpreting service provided by the Department of Home Affairs for people who do not speak English and for agencies and businesses that need to communicate with their non-English speaking clients.

    With the translating and interpreter service, you will be connected on the phone with someone who speaks your language, so that they can help you to communicate with Mercy Health staff.

    Please follow these five steps:

    1. Phone the translating and interpreter service.
    2. You will be connected to an operator who speaks English. Say the language you need.
    3. Stay on line while the operator finds an available interpreter for you.
    4. The operator will connect you with an interpreter in your language. You will be asked to provide:
      • your name
      • the phone number of the service you want to contact
      • the name of the person you want to speak to, if you know it.
    5. Stay on the line while the operator connects you and the interpreter to the required service.

MensLine Australia

  • Phone numbers:

    MensLine Australia
    1300 789 978

  • Website: mensline.org.au
  • About:

    MensLine is a 24/7 professional telephone and online support and information service for men.

Orange Door

  • Website: orangedoor.vic.gov.au
  • About:

    The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people in the Heidelberg region who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children. It is free to access help and support through The Orange Door and you do not need a referral.

Women's Health West

  • Phone numbers:

    Women's Health West
    03 9689 9588

  • Website: whwest.org.au
  • About:

    Women’s Health West (WHW) is the ​​women’s health service for the western metropolitan region of Melbourne (Wyndham region) providing​ health promotion and family violence services.

Last reviewed March 2, 2020.

Top tips for safe health care

These top tips are designed to help patients, families, carers and other support people get the most out of your health care.

Top tips for safe health care

Requesting a female doctor

At Mercy Health, we understand some women feel more comfortable with a female doctor. Find out about your options.

Requesting a female doctor

Translating and interpreting services

Learn how to contact our services through a telephone interpreter if you have difficulty communicating in English.

Translating and interpreting services