The Orange Door Now Open In Central Highlands

The Victorian Government is pushing ahead with vital family violence reform, with the opening of the latest Orange Door in the Central Highlands region.

It is the sixth Orange Door to open in Victoria and means those at risk, those who are or have experienced family violence will find it even easier to access the support and services they need.

Victorian Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams announced that The Orange Door Network will officially begin operating in Central Highlands from Wednesday, which covers the areas of Ballarat, Ararat, Golden Plains, Pyrenees, Moorabool and Hepburn.

The Orange Door in Central Highlands will deliver crucial support for adults, young people and children in need, including risk assessment, safety planning and crisis assistance, as well as crucial links to services for ongoing support, bringing together workers from specialist family violence, child and family, Aboriginal and men’s services.

It is the latest development in the Government’s unprecedented family violence reform work, with the Orange Door Network to eventually service all 17 DHHS regions by 2022.

Five Orange Doors have already opened across the state in Barwon, Inner Gippsland, North East Melbourne, Bayside Peninsula and Mallee, with Loddon and Goulburn to commence service in the coming months.

The Government is also now two-thirds of the way through completing all 227 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence – the first of its kind in the country.

In Central Highlands, the Orange Door is a strong collaboration between Child and Family Services Ballarat, Berry St (Western Region) and Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative (BADAC) and the Victorian Government, who have been working together to prepare for commencement for more than 12 months.

The $6.1 million project includes a primary site in Ballarat, with an access point planned for Moorabool Shire and outposted services in the Rural City of Ararat and Hepburn Shire for people seeking face-to-face support – all operating in line with current coronavirus restrictions.

During the pandemic, leaving home for your safety is allowed and from Wednesday, anyone seeking assistance with a family violence matter in the Central Highlands region can contact The Central Highlands Orange Door Network on 1800 219 819.

Out-of-hours support services remain available for help through safe steps on 1800 015 188 or webchat safesteps.org.au/chat Monday through Friday, 9am to 9pm. Anyone concerned about their own behaviour can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.

Source: Vic Government