The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre (The SAFV Centre) and Emma House have officially united, creating a stronger and sustainable future for women’s services in the South West.
Emma House
Family Violence Services in the South West
The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre (The SAFV Centre) and Emma House have officially united, creating a stronger and sustainable future for women’s services in the South West. Our services continue under the name of The SAFV Centre, locally known as Emma House, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting women and children impacted by family violence in our community.
The SAFV Centre, locally known as Emma House is the primary specialist family violence service in South West Victoria. Since 1979, we have been assisting women and their children who are experiencing or have experienced family violence.
We offer an opportunity for women to talk to someone about their situation without judgement or discrimination. We believe that everyone has the right to be safe, to be treated equally and have access to the same opportunities as everyone else. We know that violence of any kind denies people these rights. We support women and children of all ages, backgrounds and spiritual or religious beliefs.
Our staff help to provide safety, support, information, advocacy, children’s counselling, court support and case management. We provide services across the South West region of Victoria, and our service is free and confidential.
Family Violence is behaviour towards another family member of that person if behaviour:
• Is physically or sexually abusive; or
• Is emotionally or psychologically abusive; or
• Is financial or economically abusive; or
• Is threatening; or
• Is coercive; or
• Is stalking or harassment
And can be any other way that controls or dominates the family member and causes that family member to feel fear for the safety or wellbeing of that family member or other person; or behaviour by a person that causes a child to hear or witness, or otherwise be exposed to the effects of, any of the behaviours referred to above.
We actively value and promote diversity in our community and affirms our commitment to always be inclusive and respectful to all, regardless of gender, age, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, level of ability, cultural or language background.
We welcome people who are LGBTIQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex, queer, plus other sexual minority identities).
Our Vision
A society where women and children live free from violence.