Creating Safer, More Equal Communities: How FVREE Creates Change

For almost 40 years, FVREE has worked alongside communities to help create a future free from family violence.

As a specialist family violence organisation, FVREE supports people experiencing family violence while also working to prevent violence before it starts. We believe everyone deserves to live in a community where they are safe, respected and free from violence.

Our work spans prevention, early intervention, support and recovery because creating lasting change requires more than responding to crisis. It means building the conditions that help people, families and communities thrive.

What Does FVREE Do?

FVREE is a specialist family violence organisation based in Melbourne’s eastern metropolitan region.

We work with individuals, families, communities, workplaces, schools and early years settings to address family violence in a range of ways.

Some of our work focuses on supporting people experiencing family violence today. Some focuses on preventing violence before it starts. Some helps communities recognise concerns early and respond safely. Together, these approaches help create safer communities now and into the future.

Our vision is simple: communities where everyone is safe, respected and free from family violence.

Supporting People Impacted by Family Violence

Family violence can affect people of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances.

Through our Support and Recovery services, FVREE works alongside adults, children and young people who are experiencing family violence. We provide specialist support that helps people navigate complex systems, increase safety and access the resources they need.

Our practitioners support people through:

• Risk assessment and safety planning
• Specialist family violence case management
• Referrals and advocacy
• Access to housing and practical support
• Counselling and therapeutic recovery programs
• Support for children and young people

We recognise that every person’s experience is different. That’s why our approach is centred on dignity, choice and individual needs.

Preventing Violence Before It Starts

While supporting people experiencing violence is critical, we also know that lasting change requires prevention.

Family violence is not inevitable. It can be prevented.

FVREE works across communities to address the underlying drivers of family violence and promote the conditions that help people build respectful, equitable relationships.

Our prevention work includes:

• Gender equality initiatives
• Respectful relationships education
• Community education programs
• Early years programs
• Youth leadership programs
• Workplace training and professional development

By helping people understand the importance of respect, equality and inclusion, we can contribute to safer communities for future generations.

Supporting Early Intervention

Creating safer communities also means recognising concerns early and responding before situations escalate.

Many people experiencing family violence first disclose their experiences to someone they know and trust, such as a colleague, educator, community worker, sporting coach, health professional or friend. However, people are often unsure about how to respond safely or what support options are available.

FVREE works with workplaces, schools, community organisations and other settings to build the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to recognise the signs of family violence, respond safely to disclosures and connect people with specialist support.

FVREE family violence training, education and practical tools such as the 3Rs framework – Recognise, Respond and Refer – we help communities understand the important role they can play in supporting someone who may be experiencing family violence.

Our early intervention work also supports parents, caregivers, educators, professionals and community members to build awareness, strengthen confidence and create pathways to support before situations reach crisis point.

By increasing the capacity of communities to identify concerns early and respond appropriately, we can help improve safety, reduce harm and connect people with support sooner.

Working with Children and Young People

Children and young people are an important part of creating positive social change.

FVREE delivers a range of programs that support children and young people to develop the skills, confidence and understanding needed to build respectful relationships and challenge harmful stereotypes.

We work with children, young people, educators and families to help create environments where everyone feels valued, included and respected.

Our programs support children and young people to:

• Recognise healthy and unhealthy behaviours
• Understand respect, equality and inclusion
• Develop leadership skills
• Challenge harmful stereotypes
• Build confidence to contribute to positive change
• Become active participants in creating safer communities

By investing in young people today, we help build stronger communities tomorrow.

Supporting Communities to Create Change

Family violence is a community issue, and preventing it requires action across all parts of society.

That’s why FVREE family violence training works closely with schools, workplaces, local governments, community organisations and service providers.

Together, we help build the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to recognise, respond to and prevent family violence.

Whether through domestic violence training, resources, partnerships or community education, we support communities to turn awareness into action.

Why Prevention, Early Intervention, Support and Recovery Matter

Creating a future free from family violence requires more than one approach.

Prevention helps stop violence before it starts.

Early intervention helps identify concerns and connect people with support before risk escalates.

Support services help people experiencing violence increase safety and access the assistance they need.

Recovery services help people rebuild wellbeing, connection and hope for the future.

Each approach is important on its own. Together, they create a stronger foundation for lasting change.

Looking Ahead

Creating a future free from family violence requires long-term commitment and collective effort.

At FVREE, we are proud to work alongside communities, organisations and individuals who share this vision.

Every conversation, every program, every partnership and every act of support contributes to safer, more equal communities.

Together, we can help create a future where everyone is safe, respected and free from family violence.

Learn More

Whether you’re looking for support, training, prevention programs or practical resources, FVREE can help.

Explore our Support and Recovery services, Prevention and Early Intervention programs, training opportunities and community resources to learn more about how we create change and how you can get involved.

About FVREE

FVREE is a specialist family violence organisation working across prevention, early intervention, support and recovery. We partner with communities, schools, workplaces and service providers to help create safer, more equal communities free from family violence.