Recognising family violence
Family violence can happen to anyone. It can occur in many types of relationships, including intimate relationships or within families or households.
The signs of family violence are not always physical. The behaviour or actions of someone using family violence can be emotional, psychological, cultural, spiritual, financial, threatening, coercive, controlling or dominating.
In intimate LGBTIQ+ relationships, violence occurs at similar rates to the rest of the community, however rates appear to be significantly higher against trans and gender diverse and bisexual people.
People from LGBTIQ+ communities may be at greater risk of family violence from other family members, including parents, siblings and children, due to entrenched homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.
Read more about recognising family violence and abuse on the With Respect website.
You should feel safe at home and in your relationships. If you don’t, you can connect with a trusted support service.
LGBTIQ+ family violence support services
Rainbow Door
A free specialist LGBTIQ+ helpline that supports individuals and families of all ages and identities with family violence, including intimate partner violence, elder abuse, sexual assault and relationship issues.
- phone: 1800 729 367 (10am to 6pm, every day)
- text: 0480 017 246
- email: support@rainbowdoor.org.au
- Rainbow Door website(opens in a new window)
Drummond Street/Queerspace
Family violence counselling and support for any LGBTIQ+ person, their family or friends, who are affected by family violence.
- phone: (03) 9663 6733 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and until 8pm on Tuesdays)
- With Respect website by Drummond Street provides resources, tips and advice to LGBTIQ+ people on having and maintaining health relationships as well as resources for practitioners.
Thorne Harbour Health
Family violence counselling and case management services to LGBTIQ+ communities and Family Violence Flexible Support Packages for those who are considering leaving or have recently left a violent relationship.
- phone: (03) 9865 6700 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) and ask for the intake worker
- Thorne Harbour Health website
- referrals can also be made by emailing fvintake@thorneharbour.org
QLife
An after-hours, peer-to-peer support service run by volunteers in the LGBTIQ+ community. QLife is not a crisis support service. Peer supporters cannot provide counselling however they can provide referrals to LGBTIQ+ inclusive counselling services if needed. This service is run by Switchboard Victoria(opens in a new window).
- phone: 1800 184 527 (3pm to midnight, every day)
- QLife webchat(opens in a new window) (3pm to midnight, every day)
- QLife website(opens in a new window)
Elizabeth Morgan House (EMH)
Refuge accommodation and specialist family violence services to Aboriginal women and their children. EMH welcomes lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, non-binary, sistergirls, brotherboys, intersex and two spirit queer folk who identify as women or feel comfortable accessing a women’s service.
- phone: (03) 9403 9400 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4pm Friday)
- Elizabeth Morgan House website
Sexual Assault Crisis Line
Crisis counselling service for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault.
- phone: 1800 806 292 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
- Sexual Assault Crisis Line website(opens in a new window)
After hours crisis support
Safe Steps
Family violence response centre for women (and women identifying) victims of family violence including crisis support, information and accommodation.
- phone: 1800 015 188 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
- email: safesteps@safesteps.org.au
- Safe Steps web chat support service (9am to midnight, Monday to Friday)
- Safe Steps website
Victims of Crime
Information and support for any victims of family and sexual violence and victims of violent crime.
- phone: 1800 819 817
- text: 0427 767 891 (8am to 11pm every day)
- email: vsa@justice.vic.gov.au
- Victims of Crime website
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