On this page

  • About family violence and abuse in relationships
  • Do you need help?
  • Support services

About family violence and abuse in relationships

Family violence is a pattern of behaviour where one person tries to control or scare another person. It is a form of abuse that can happen in many different types of relationships.

LGBTIQ+ people can be at greater risk of experiencing some forms of family violence.

On this website you can learn more about:

If anyone is in immediate danger or a crime is currently occurring, please call police on Triple Zero (000). You can also go to your local police station (External link) to report a crime.

The Victims of Crime Helpline 1800 819 817 can provide support and advice to anyone experiencing family violence in Victoria.

Do you need help?

If anyone is in immediate danger or a crime is currently occurring, please call police on Triple Zero (000). If you cannot access a phone you can also go to your local police station (External link).

Victoria Police – Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex Liaison Officers (known as GLLOs)

GLLOs provide discrete, non-judgmental advice and assistance about reporting a crime as well as information about support services to LGBTIQ+ people.

You can report a crime to any police officer in Victoria Police by contacting your local police station (External link) but, if the matter is not urgent, you can choose to speak to GLLO.

Call: (03) 9247 6944 during business hours
Email: Melbourne.gllo@police.vic.gov.au (External link)

You can also visit the Victoria Police website to find out more about GLLOs (External link) and find contact details for officers in your area.

There are good reasons to report violence and abuse, but if you are not ready to do that yet, or do not want to involve the police, you can still get help. Talking to a trusted person, like a counsellor, family member, doctor or friend can be a good first step and they can help you talk to the police or other services if you want them to.

Support services

Victims of Crime Helpline

If you would like confidential advice about the options available to you, you can contact the Victims of Crime Helpline.

Open: 8am–11pm, every day
Call: 1800 819 817
Text: 0427 767 891
Email: vsa@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)

Rainbow Door

Rainbow Door is a free specialist helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQ+ Victorians, their friends and family.

You can also contact Rainbow Door if you are seeking a LGBTIQ friendly mainstream service. 

Open: every day 10am to 5pm

Call: 1800 729 367
Text: 0408 017 246
Email: support@rainbowdoor.org.au (External link)
Website: rainbowdoor.org.au (External link)

Switchboard

Switchboard is a volunteer organisation which provides a free, confidential and anonymous telephone counselling, referral and information service for Victorian bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQ+) people and their supporters.

Switchboard partners with QLife to provide a phone and webchat service.

Open: 3pm–midnight, every day
Call: 1800 184 527
Website: switchboard.org.au (External link) or qlife.org.au (External link)

Thorne Harbour Health

A community-controlled organisation providing health services for LGBTIQ+ people, including relationship counselling.

Open:
9am–7pm, Monday
9am–9pm Tuesday to Thursday
9am–5pm Friday
Call: 1800 134 835
Website: thorneharbour.org (External link)

w/respect

A specialist LGBTIQ+ family violence service to support LGBTIQ+ people and their families affected by family violence.

w/respect is a partnership of four LGBTIQ+ specialist organisations; queerspace (supported by drummond street services), Thorne Harbour Health, Switchboard and Transgender Victoria.

Open:
9am–5pm Monday to Friday
After hours counselling 5pm–11pm Wednesday and 10am–10pm Saturday and Sunday
Call: 1800 LGBTIQ
Website: withrespect.org.au (External link)

queerspace (supported by drummond street services)

queerspace provides a safe and supportive space to obtain information and access services aimed at improving the health and well-being of LGBTIQ+ people.

Open:
9am–5pm Monday to Friday
After hours counselling 5pm–11pm Wednesday, 10am–10pm Saturday and Sunday
Call: (03) 9663 6733

Transgender Victoria (TGV)

TGV is Victoria’s leading body for trans and gender diverse advocacy. Provides service and referrals for trans and gender diverse people, their partners, families and friends.

Call: (03) 9020 43642
Website: transgendervictoria.com (External link)

You can also find information and support for other people who are experiencing violence and abuse in relationships:

Women

Men 

Children

Young people

Older people

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

People with disabilities

People in culturally diverse communities