Family violence counselling continues during pandemic

MEDIA RELEASE

TO: Phillip Island Advertiser, Sentinel Times, Foster Mirror, Waterline News, Bass Coast Post, The Paper, ABC Gippsland

DATE: April 24, 2020 FOR RELEASE: Immediate

Title: Family violence counselling continues during pandemic

Help is still available for people experiencing family violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the financial and social pressures of job losses and rising costs, as well as people spending more time together at home, there is increased potential for family violence.

Bass Coast Health (BCH) Team Co-ordinator of Counselling, Cara Hammond, is urging people not to suffer alone.

“We are reminding people that if they are finding themselves in a situation of family violence to let someone know,” she said. “Reach out to someone – a trusted friend or a professional like your GP – because we want people to know they have support.”

Family violence occurs in many forms and is any behaviour that causes a family member to fear for their own or another family member’s safety. Family violence is behaviour which may be isolating, dominating, physical, psychological, financial, sexual or emotional in nature.

BCH continues to provide counselling services to people impacted by family violence during the pandemic. All counselling services at BCH are free and confidential.

To make a counselling referral with Bass Coast Health during business hours, phone 5671 3343 and ask for the Access team.

For further support, The Orange Door is part of the Victorian Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Family Violence.

The Orange Door brings together workers from: specialist family violence services, family services, Aboriginal services and services for men who use violence.

The Orange Door can be contacted on 1800 319 354 or look online to https://orangedoor.vic.gov.au/after-hours-support which provides telehphone numbers for all the after-hours supports.

1800 RESPECT is also useful: 1800 737 732.

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