The Victorian Government is supporting more women and children escape family violence with the rollout of the Orange Door Network in an additional five areas of the state, as we continue to implement all the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence.

The Orange Door Network will expand to Melbourne’s south and inner-east, Ovens Murray, Wimmera South-West and Outer Gippsland.

Orange Door is about providing every family the specialist support they need – regardless of where they live – from workers across family violence, child and family services, Aboriginal and men’s services, along with emergency and crisis services.

The network is already operating in five areas across the state – Barwon, Inner Gippsland, North East Melbourne, Bayside Peninsula and Mallee – with another three areas going online shortly in Central Highlands, Loddon and Goulburn.

The final four sites will be announced in coming months as work continues to ensure a local point of access for all Victorians no matter where they live.

The Government has already acquitted more than two-thirds of the 227 recommendations of the Royal Commission, with 166 recommendations now implemented.

Most recently, the Government has launched a family violence jobs portal to ensure the sector can continue to attract people with different backgrounds, experiences and skills to support Victorians – as the sector ramps up to help end family violence.

We’re also teaching medical practitioners to better deal with family violence with the development of a family violence training program.

It will include undergraduate and graduate training for prevention of family violence, continuing professional development, as well as guidance on appropriate responses to people with mental illness who have suffered family violence.

The training will mean a stronger approach to identification and early referral for victim survivors and more effective treatment.

Acquitting another Royal Commission recommendation, Victoria Police are already trialling the use of body worn cameras during family violence incidents.

The Government is also investing $3.4 million to prevent violence before it starts, with a focus on supporting women and families from Aboriginal and multicultural communities, as well as those with disability.

Since the Orange Door Network opened in 2018, almost 100,000 Victorians have been referred or directly sought help for family violence.

The Government has invested more than $2.9 billion to prevent family violence and implement each of the recommendations of the Royal Commission – more than the Commonwealth and all the other states and territories combined.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“My message to all Victorians is that help is there if you need it. Escaping violence at home is always a reason to leave your home, no matter what stage restrictions are in place.”

“We’re continuing to work hard so that Victorians can access the services they need, when they need it – and stay safe.”