Strathbogie Shire Council is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of residents, the people who live, work, play and volunteer in the shire. We work alongside the community on a range of initiatives, events, and campaigns to promote socially just, inclusive, and sustainable communities.
We are committed to supporting the reduction of family violence in Strathbogie Shire. Family and domestic violence is any violent, threatening, coercive or controlling behaviour that occurs in current or past family, domestic or intimate relationships. Intimate partners, family members and non-family carers can perpetuate violence. Young people can also use violence or be victims of violence within their family. Although domestic and family violence can happen to anyone, evidence shows that in most cases in Victoria, family violence is perpetrated by men against women.
Health and Wellbeing Plan
Strathbogie Shire Council’s Health and Wellbeing Action Plan 2021-25 sets out the actions Council will undertake to protect, improve, and promote public health and wellbeing in Strathbogie Shire.
The Action Plan has seven health and wellbeing themes which capture the areas of focus for Council in addressing public health and wellbeing matters in Strathbogie Shire 2021-2025
- Assist in reducing health harms from climate change and ensure responsible planning to protect the environment and facilitate sustainable development
- Assist to reduce the harms from tobacco
- Promote physical wellbeing
- Promote gender equality, community safety and reducing gendered violence
- Promote mental wellbeing
- Respect and celebrate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and culture
- An equitable, inclusive, engaged and connected community for people of all ages, cultures, identities, and abilities
→ Click here to view a copy of the plan
Family violence prevention and support
We know a significant driver of family violence in our communities is gender inequality.
Gender inequality is the unequal distribution of power, resources and choices based on someone’s gender identity. These imbalances are reinforced by gender norms, stereotypes, attitudes, and cultures that excuse violence and inequality.
Find more information on our commitment and actions to improve gender equality here.
Strathbogie Shire Council participates in the United Nation’s international campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence which takes place each year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10 December (International Human Rights Day).
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative galvanising individuals, communities, and organisations to address gender inequalities and eradicate violence against women and girls around the world.
Go to Respect Victoria’s website for more information on raising awareness about preventing family violence and promoting equality and respect across the whole community.
Family violence support services
- Police: To contact this service call 000 any time or day or visit Police for more information. If English is not your first language, call Triple Zero (000) and tell them your language. They will connect with an interpreter. If you are Deaf, hard of hearing or have difficulty being understood verbally, the National Relay Service can assist.
- Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre: Victorian state-wide service providing telephone support, information, referral, safety planning and risk assessment for women and children experiencing family violence. To contact this free service call 1800 015 188 any time or day or visit Safe Steps for more information.
- 1800RESPECT: The National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault. To contact this free service call 1800 737 732 any time or day or visit 1800 respect for more information.
- Lifeline: A national number that can help put you in contact with a crisis service in your state. To contact this free service call 13 11 14 any time or day or visit Lifeline for more information.
- The Orange Door: A free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care, wellbeing, and development of children. To contact this service call 1800 634 245 between 9am and 5pm on weekdays, except public holidays. For more information visit Orange Door. Location: 210 Corio Street, Shepparton, 3630. Entry via Vaughan Street carpark (opposite Kmart/Coles in Vaughan Central)
Primary Care Connect
Case Management services to assist victim survivors who experience current or recent intimate partner violence, working with adults who use family violence and Indigenous family Violence Support.
Call 03 5823 3200 or visit Primary Care Connect.
Family Care
Case Management – aims to reduce the risk associated with the person who chooses to use family violence.
Call 1800 663 107 or visit Family Care.
Victims of Crime Helpline
For adult male victims of family violence and victims of violent crime.
To contact this service call 1800 819 817 between 8am and 11pm everyday, or text 0427 767 891. For more information visit Victims of Crime.
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre
Victorian state-wide service providing telephone support, information, referral, safety planning and risk assessment for women and children experiencing family violence.
To contact this free service call 1800 015 188 any time or day or visit Safe Steps for more information.
Centre Against Sexual Assault Crisis Line
A state-wide confidential, telephone crisis counselling service for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault.
To contact this free service call 1800 806 292 any time or day or visit Sexual Assault Crisis Line for more information.
VincentCare’s Marian Community
Based in Shepparton – provides a 24/7 specialist family violence service to women and children in Strathbogie Shire experiencing family violence.
To contact this free service call (03) 5825 9400 during business hours or 1800 015 188 after hours. You can visit Vincent Care for more information
Relationships Australia
Support groups and counselling on relationships, and for abusive and abused partners.
Call 1300 364 277 or visit Relationship Australia.
Mensline Australia
Supports men who are dealing with family and relationship difficulties.
To contact this free service call 1300 78 99 78 any time or day or visit Mensline for more information.
Men’s Referral Service
No to Violence works with men who use family violence, and the sector that supports them to change their abusive and violent behaviour.
Call 1300 766 491 or visit No to Violence.
Kids Helpline
Free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service for young people aged between 5 and 25.
To contact this free service call 1800 55 1800 any time or day or visit Kids Helpline for more information.
Australian Childhood Foundation
Free counselling for children and young people affected by abuse.
To contact this free service call 1300 381 581 any time or day or visit Australian Childhood Foundation for more information.
Child Protection
Free, for children and young people whose safety is at risk.
Call 1300 360 391 or after-hours Child Protection Emergency Service – 13 12 78 (5.00pm to 9.00am Monday – Friday, 24 hours on weekends and public holidays) or visit Child Protection.
The Bridge Youth Service
Free programs run by qualified supportive staff that can help young people improve their situation (referral required).
127 Welsford St, Shepparton, (03) 5831 2390. Alternatively, visit The Bridge Youth Service.
What’s OK at Home
A website for young people and their adult allies about family violence, why it happens, how to recognise it, and how to help others experiencing it.
Visit What’s OK at Home
Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA)
Free state-wide support and drop-in service for Aboriginal children and families.
Call 5756 9000 or visit VACCA.
Rumbalara
Support and protection for First Nations people who are affected by family or domestic violence, are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping or staying safe.
Call 03 5820 0000 or visit Rumbalara.
Yarning SafeNStrong
Telephone crisis line for Aboriginal people and families who need to have a yarn.
Free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To contact this service call 1800 959 563 any time or day or visit Yarning SafeNStrong for more information.
Djirra Aboriginal Women Support Service
Telephone counselling service for Aboriginal women who are experiencing or have experienced family violence.
Call 1800 105 303 or visit Djirra Aboriginal Women Support Service.
Dardi Munwurro’s Brother to Brother
Telephone crisis support for Aboriginal men with family violence issues.
To contact this service call 1800 435 799 any time or day or visit Dardi Munwurro for more information.
National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline
An Australia-wide telephone hotline for reporting abuse and neglect of people with disability.
Call 1800 880 052 or visit National Disability Hotline.
Speak up and be safe
Communication toolkit and resources for people with communication difficulties, to assist individuals to identify and report abuse.
Visit Speak Up and Be Safe.
Translating and Interpreting Service
Free phone service to gain access to an interpreter in your own language.
To contact this service call 131 450 any time or day or visit Translating and Interpreting Service for more information.
InTouch – Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence
Free and confidential support services for migrant and refugee women.
Call 1800 755 988 or visit InTouch
Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health
Multilingual Library Catalogue for resources, including about family violence.
Call 1800 656 421 or visit Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health.
Family Safety Pack – available in 46 languages
Information on Australia’s laws regarding domestic and family violence, sexual assault and forced marriage.
Visit Department of Social Service Family Safety Pack.
Family violence: what police do – multi-lingual fact sheets
Fact sheets about what Victoria Police do in response to family violence.
Visit Victoria Police
Seniors Rights Victoria
Free and confidential support services to support older Victorians experiencing abuse.
Call 1300 368 821 or visit Seniors Rights Victoria.
Rainbow Door
A free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family
Call 1800 729 367, text 0480 017 246 or visit Rainbow Door.
QLife
An after-hours (3pm to midnight), peer-to-peer support service run by volunteers in the LGBTIQ+ community. QLife is not a crisis support service. Peer supporters cannot provide counselling however they can provide referrals to LGBTIQ+ inclusive counselling services if needed.
Call 1800 184 527 or visit QLife.
Queerspace
Family violence counselling and support for any LGBTIQ+ person, their family or friends, who are affected by family violence.
Call 03 9663 6733 or visit Queerspace.
Thorne Harbour Health
Family violence counselling and case management services to LGBTIQ+ communities and Family Violence Flexible Support Packages for those who are considering leaving or have recently left a violent relationship.
Call 03 9865 6700 or visit Thorne Harbour Health
Our Watch
Our Watch is an independent, not for profit organisation established to raise awareness and engage the community in action to prevent violence against women and their children.
Visit Our Watch.
ANROWS
ANROWS is a national research organisation that aims to build evidence that will guide policy and practice aimed at addressing the high rates of domestic, family and sexual violence against women and their children.
Visit ANROWS
Safe Schools Hub
The Safe Schools Hub is a one-stop shop for information and resources on safe school strategies to assist teachers and school leaders, students, parents, specialist professionals supporting students and pre-service teachers.
Visit Safe Schools Hub.
Consuming alcohol or smoking in public
We have Local Laws for the consumption of alcohol to lessen the likelihood of unsavoury behaviour, and to help make our Shire safer for residents and visitors.
A person must not consume an alcoholic beverage or have in their possession alcohol other than in a sealed container, in municipal places within the township boundaries of Avenel, Euroa, Nagambie (including the Regatta Centre area) or Violet Town.
Exemptions to this can be found in Strathbogie Shire Council’s Local Law No. 2
We enforce smoking bans in areas where children play and around outdoor dining.
Smoke-free areas are important as they:
- protect the community from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke
- make smoking in the community less acceptable — the less people see smoking in public places the less they will tend to think it is okay, rather than harmful
- support people who have quit or are trying to quit smoking
Amendments to the Tobacco Act have extended the areas where smoking is banned across Victoria.
Smoke-free areas include:
- entrances to indoor children’s play centres, public hospitals and registered community health centres, and certain Victorian Government buildings
- the grounds of, and entrances to, childcare centres, kindergartens, preschools and primary and secondary schools
- outdoor recreational areas, including playground equipment, skate parks and sporting venues during under-age sporting events (more information below)
- outdoor areas at hospitality and food venues used for eating food. This includes footpath dining areas, courtyards and beer gardens during times food is being eaten, or is available to be eaten
- outdoor areas at food fairs and within 10 metres of a food stall or food vendor at an organised outdoor event
- outdoor areas of public swimming pools
- patrolled beaches
- enclosed workplaces
- train stations, tram-stop platforms and tram and bus shelters
- under-age music or dance events
Smoking near children’s recreational areas
Smoking is banned at and within 10 metres of outdoor public children’s playground equipment, skate parks and sporting venues during organised under-age sporting events, as well as in outdoor areas of public swimming pools.
Under the Tobacco Act 1987 smoking is now unlawful within these areas.
More information:
- Health.Vic: Outdoor dining – smoke-free
- Health.Vic: Tobacco reform
- Tobacco Information Line – for information about tobacco control in Victoria phone 1300 136 775
- Strathbogie Shire Council Local Laws No. 2