Scroll down for the Minister’s response, or click here to discover more about how we’re working for Wendouree.

Original constituency question from Juliana Addison MP to Parliament –

My constituency question is to the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence.

Minister, could you please provide an update on what services the Central Highlands Orange Door network are providing for my constituents in Wendouree?

Minister, it was a pleasure to attend the Orange Door with you earlier this year and see the important work this service is providing for families experiencing family violence right across the Central Highlands region. This is an important initiative, a foundation reform from Victoria’s world-first Royal Commission into Family Violence, that has fundamentally changed the way we respond to family violence and coordinate support for the wellbeing of children and families in our communities.

I note that the family violence reform implementation monitor in her recent report praised the implementation and commencement of the Central Highlands Orange Door despite the COVID pandemic last year. I thank all staff working at the Orange Door for the incredible work that they do.

Response from the Hon. Gabrielle Williams, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence & Minister for Women (2nd August 2021) –

I would like to thank the Member for Wendouree for her question, and also take this opportunity to thank The Orange Door team in Central Highlands for their work, commitment and dedication in commencing a new Orange Door service in October 2020 during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The $448 million Orange Door Network is indeed a foundational reform from the Royal Commission into Family Violence and has fundamentally changed the way we respond to family violence in Victoria.

The Orange Door provides a range of supports to victim survivors of family violence, including brokerage, housing, child wellbeing and specialist family violence support. The Network also engages with perpetrators to address the risk they pose and connect them with services to challenge and change their violent behaviour.

The Orange Door Network in Central Highlands is a strong partnership between Ballarat Aboriginal and District Cooperative, Child and Family Services, Berry Street, and the Victorian Government.

People across Central Highlands who are impacted by family violence or needing help with the wellbeing and development of their children can call or email the Orange Door Network or attend on-site in Ballarat or Bacchus Marsh. There will also soon be additional outpost sites commencing in Ararat, Golden Plains, and Hepburn local government areas to ensure that people can receive help close to home, no matter where they live across the Central Highlands region.

When people seek help from The Orange Door they can be supported with risk and needs assessments, safety planning, crisis support and connection through to a wide range of services in the local community to ensure they get the longer-term help that they need.

Since commencing operations in October 2020, more than 7000 residents, including more than 3000 children, have received support from the Central Highlands Orange Door Network.

We are committed to the statewide roll-out of the Orange Door Network by the end of 2022, to ensure that, no matter where you live, anyone experiencing family violence or needing assistance with family wellbeing can receive the support they need, when they need it – closer to home.

The Andrews Labor Government is determined to build a family violence system that is safe, inclusive and responsive to the needs of those who rely on it. We have invested more than $3.5 billion to prevent and respond to family violence and progress gender equality in Victoria. There is still plenty of work to do but we will not rest until we achieve a Victoria free from violence.