Defining Family and Domestic Violence
Family violence is defined as any behaviour that occurs in family, domestic or intimate relationships that is physically or sexually abusive; emotionally or psychologically abusive; economically abusive; threatening or coercive, or is in any other way controlling that causes a person to live in fear for their safety or wellbeing or that of another person. It is not just one instance, but a continuous pattern of abusive behaviour perpetrated by one person towards another, often using multiple tactics.
In relation to children, family violence is also defined as behaviour by any person that causes a child to hear or witness or otherwise be exposed to the effects of the above behaviour. This definition includes violence within a broader family context, such as extended families, kinship networks and communities.
While people of all genders can choose to use violence, or be victim survivors of family violence, overwhelmingly, perpetrators are men, who largely perpetrate violence against women (who are their current or former partner) and children.
Family violence is not just physical or sexual abuse but can take many forms. Read about types of abuse.
Family Violence Support
We have a deep understanding of the issues faced by women (trans and cis) and non-binary people experiencing homelessness and the close links between gender, poverty, family violence and homelessness.
We know that family violence and homelessness are intimately connected. Family violence is the key driver of homelessness for women and the main reason women and children leave a family home.
Many of the people we work with come to us at the peak of a crisis, seeking immediate safety and protection from a person choosing to use violence, or months after violence has occurred, still facing ongoing risks and impacts and looking for a safe and secure place to live. We work with victim survivors, adults and accompanying children, to explore options that they might not have known existed, as well as being a support through what is a very difficult time.
Our support will focus on immediate safety needs, while also making sure to explore the impacts of violence on the following areas of a person’s life; their current housing situation, their health and wellbeing, family, social and community connections, employment and education, finances, material aid and transport, and access to legal support. Our support may be short-term, or longer-term, depending on what the victim survivor/s are needing for their safety and recovery from the actions of the person/s choosing to use violence.
The behaviour of the person/s choosing to use violence is a key focus of our support, understanding what has happened, and what could happen in the future, and what is needed to keep their behaviour in view and hold them accountable.
Family Violence Outpost
Juno recognises that victim survivors are often forced into homelessness when seeking safety from a person choosing to use violence, and then need to reach out to housing services for support. To ensure that victim survivors are also getting support for the family violence they are experiencing, or have experienced, Juno’s specialist family violence workers are outposted at the VincentCare homelessness access point in Glenroy. The family violence outpost worker can provide immediate support to victim survivors of family violence and their children, while also working alongside initial assessment housing workers to identify and respond to family violence needs, and provide a specialised gender specific response to women, non-binary people, and their children.
Find out about available family violence payments →
How to Receive Support
Juno provides free specialist family violence services to women (trans and cis), non-binary people, and children, who have experienced any form of family violence. Support is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, for people experiencing experiencing family violence in the Hume Merri-bek region.
- To access support you can;
- Self-refer: To self-refer contact the duty line at 03 8692 2020 or send an enquiry to .
- Be referred by another service: Referrals can be sent to: .
- Once a referral is received, Juno will:
- Assess if the team has capacity to provide support.
- Determine if Juno is the right service for your needs.
- If not, Juno will help you access another suitable family violence service.
To find your local family violence service, you can enter a postcode or suburb on Safe and Equal’s Find a Service directory, or you can contact your local Orange Door. The Orange Door acts as the main intake point for family violence and family services in Victoria. If you require family violence crisis support outside of Juno business hours you can contact Safe Steps via email or phone 1800 015 188.
If you are in immediate danger call 000.
Read our Commitment to Accessibility →
Juno acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.
