Business Summary
We are a government funded Family Violence and Sexual Assault service located in Wangaratta, Wodonga and Benalla, providing services across the Ovens Murray region.
About Us
Centre Against Violence (CAV)
Who we are
Centre Against Violence is a not‑for‑profit organisation funded by theVictorian Government Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, withadditional project funding from the Federal Government. We deliver specialistfamily violence crisis support and sexual assault services across the OvensMurray region.
What we do
- We offer advocacy, information and support for adult andchild victim survivors of family violence, sexual assault, and harmful sexualbehaviours.
- Our sexual assault support team provides therapeutic groupwork and one‑on‑one care to those impacted recently or historically.
- We assess and treat harmful sexual behaviours in childrenand young people aged 5 to 17, and support the families and carers involved.
- We deliver crisis accommodation and recovery support, aswell as practical help such as material aid, safety modifications, specialistreferrals, and police advocacy for people experiencing family violence.
- We run group programs that support healing, recovery andconnection for people affected by violence and abuse. These includetrauma-informed therapeutic groups as well as Caring Dads, a program forfathers who want to strengthen their relationships with their children.
We operate full‑time in Wangaratta and Wodonga, with outreach services acrossthe Ovens Murray Region
- For sexual assault crisis support: Call 03 5722 2203 duringbusiness hours. After hours call the Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL), 24/7,on 1800 806 292
- For family violence crisis support: Call The Orange Door on1800 271 157 during business hours. After hours call Safe Steps on 1800 015 188
- For emergency safety, call POLICE on 000
What We Do
The Centre Against Violence offers free, specialist familyviolence crisis intervention services and short term case management to allpeople, including LGBTQIA+ people and children, who are experiencing currentfamily violence crisis.
FAQs
How much will the service cost?
The service is provided free of charge. Centre Against Violence receives funding from the Victorian Government.
I am worried about who will know I have come to your service.
As a client of Centre Against Violence your privacy and confidentiality are protected. Any limits to privacy and confidentiality will be explained.
What if I change my mind about not wanting service?
You can withdraw from our service without any worries. If you want to come back at another time it will be fine. We believe in empowering you to make your own decisions while working with us. We accept your decisions and will continue to support you.
How do I obtain an Intervention order?
With our help, or by approaching the Magistrate’s Court independently, you can apply for an intervention order by filling out a form describing the violence and lodging it with a Clerk of Courts at your closest Magistrate’s Court.
How will an intervention order help?
It helps by setting rules that the perpetrator must abide by. If he doesn’t and you report it he will be charged with a crime. The behaviour he is using may not be a crime without an intervention order.
Will I have to see the perpetrator at court?
The answer depends on the type of court hearing you are attending and the arrangements available. If you are applying for an intervention order he has the right to attend. If you are going to trial for a criminal matter he will be obliged to be present as a defendant. In this instance it is possible to ask for a screen or a room separate to the court to provide evidence from.
What if I can’t cope with remembering what happened to me?
Memories of sexual assault and family violence can be disturbing and highly distressing. It is possible to attend CAV and be assisted to find some helpful ways to approach the difficulties you may have on a daily basis. This can be done without asking you to remember the past.
