Who we are

At Safe and Equal, we work towards a world where everyone is safe, respected and thriving, living free from family and gender-based violence.

We are the peak body for Victorian organisations that specialise in family and gender-based violence across the continuum, including primary prevention, early intervention, response and recovery. We are an independent, non-government organisation. 

Our work prioritises the safety of all people experiencing, recovering from or at risk of family and gender-based violence. While we know that most family violence is perpetrated by men against women and children, we recognise that family violence impacts people across a diversity of gender identities, social and cultural contexts, and within various intimate, family and other relationships. We apply an intersectional feminist lens in our work to address the gendered drivers of violence, and how these overlap and intersect with additional forms of violence, oppression and inequality. 

As a peak, we work with and for our members to prevent and respond to violence, building a better future for adults, children and young people experiencing, at risk of, or recovering from family and gender-based violence. 

DO YOU NEED
FAMILY VIOLENCE
SUPPORT?

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If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000). If you would like to find specialist family violence services in your area, please view the support services page. 

Everyone has a role to play in ending family violence. Developing a shared understanding of this issue is an important first step to addressing it.

NEWS AND
SECTOR UPDATES

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MEDIA
RELEASES

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Landmark program launched to paint a national picture of domestic violence support needs

Safety Measures is innovative new research initiative that will drive systemic change and better support victim survivors of family violence across the country.

Seniors Rights Victoria, Safe and Equal partner to train Orange Door and family violence workers in elder abuse prevention and intervention

Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV), COTA Victoria, and Safe and Equal have launched a new partnership to build the capacity of The Orange Door and specialist family violence sector across Victoria in recognising and responding to elder abuse.

State Budget 2025-26: No major cuts for family violence a welcome relief; still not enough for victim survivors amidst an escalating crisis

Safe and Equal is pleased today’s Victorian Budget does not include any anticipated cuts to the specialist family violence sector, with the majority of lapsing funding renewed on a short-term basis.

Training and
Professional development

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We deliver a range of training courses to further your knowledge in preventing and responding to family violence. We also run events and leadership programs to help you connect with others in the sector and build your career.

Small steps: Bystander action for equality

This new 4-hour bystander action course builds participants’ knowledge and skills to be active bystanders and safely and effectively challenge the harmful attitudes that drive violence against women in their personal and professional lives. Explore simple and effective steps you can take to increase your confidence and speak up against sexism.

Training + Bystander Action + Foundational Knowledge

CHCDFV001 Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence

This three-hour virtual interactive training provides foundational knowledge in understanding family violence and responding to disclosures of family violence. It prepares participants to recognise indicators of family violence, ask questions and provide a safe, simple and sensitive response to a disclosure from an adult victim survivor experiencing family violence.

Training + Response + Foundational Knowledge

Case Notes, Family Violence and the Law

With the rapidly-changing family violence sector and new legislation, it’s never been a better time to learn about case notes or to have a refresher. In this full-day training, you will learn best practices for the structure, style and language of case notes, and develop your knowledge about how to respond to subpoenas, appearing as a witness in court, privacy and legal issues.

Training + Responding to family violence

MEMBERSHIP

Safe and Equal is the peak body for Victorian organisations that specialise in family and gender-based violence across the continuum, including primary prevention, early intervention, response and recovery.

As a statewide voice for change, we advocate on behalf of and support the development of high-quality services and programs across the continuum.