Family Violence Refuge

Two major factors preventing women from leaving an abusive relationship are the fear of having nowhere to go and the potential impact on their children.

Refuge accommodation is a safe and secure place where women and women with children escaping family violence are provided with support and accommodation for up to six weeks.

What kind of support?

Support that can be provided by a family violence refuge includes:

  • Risk assessment and safety plans 
  • Support to seek a Family Violence Intervention Order 
  • Identifying individual needs and setting goals
  • Support to deal with Centrelink
  • Support to explore safe and secure housing
  • Referrals to other services including legal, immigration services, counselling, parenting and financial services.
  • Cultural support including specific foods and interpreting services.
  • Support with special needs.
  • Support for children.

Who can access a family violence refuge?

Individuals who identify as female and individuals who identify as female with accompanying children who are not safe to remain in their home due to family violence.

If you want to talk to someone about refuge accommodation in Victoria please contact:

Safe Steps: open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. 

Phone: 1800 015 188

Translate this page

Join our mailing list

Translate this page

Join our mailing list

Follow Wayss

Useful Links

Translate this page

Join our mailing list

ACNC Registered Charity ABN 38 080 191 108

Stay in touch

Receive occasional updates about news, campaigns and projects related to how how you can help us provide assistance, advice and housing for people in Melbourne affected by homelessness & family violence.

Wayss in the 1990s

Then in September 1997 the organisation became WAYSS Limited with a Board of Directors and day to day management by the Chief Executive Officer.

Wayss underwent further transformation with the restructure of community housing and the funding of the Transitional Housing Management (THM) program. The Regional Housing Council ceased operation and transferred direct service operations to Wayss in 1997.

During this decade Wayss became responsible for the then South East Women’s Domestic Violence Outreach Service. Funding was also received to establish a Children’s Services Worker within the outreach service. SAAP funded Women’s Outreach Program was also transferred to Wayss in 1999.