To receive this publication in an accessible format phone 03 9194 3224, using the National Relay Service 13 36 77 if required, or <reception@familysafety.vic.gov.au> Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne. © State of Victoria, Australia, Family Safety Victoria November 2017. In this document, ‘Aboriginal’ refers to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. ‘Indigenous’ or ‘Koori/Koorie’ is retained when part of the title of a report, program or quotation. Available on the of the DHHS Service Providers website
Referrals for after-hours crisis responses Where a victim survivor requires immediate medical assistance or there are immediate concerns for a person’s life or safety, 000 should be called. Police referrals A significant proportion of family violence incidents attended by police occur after-hours. Clear referral pathways between police and agencies providing after-hours family violence crisis responses are essential to support victim survivors and ensure timely access to appropriate support. Where Police assess a situation as requiring an after-hours family violence crisis response they should call the statewide 24/7 crisis service to enable a timely response, in addition to completing regular L17 referral processes. If a face-to-face crisis response is required, the statewide 24/7 crisis service will contact the relevant local after-hours agency. Where a victim survivor has experienced sexual assault in the context of family violence, police should respond as per the Code of practice for the investigation of sexual crime (2016). Hospital and other referrals (including self-referrals) Where a hospital or other service (such as a homelessness service) assesses a situation as requiring an after-hours family violence crisis response, they should contact the statewide 24/7 crisis service. The statewide 24/7 crisis service should also be the primary point of contact for victim survivors and family members and friends. End of business hours handover from other services If a Support and Safety Hub or other agency is providing a business hours crisis response to a victim survivor that will require an after-hours response, they should contact the statewide 24/7 crisis service to undertake a handover. Overview of statewide coordination and face-to-face crisis response functions The following provides an overview of the statewide coordination and face-to-face crisis response functions of the model. Statewide coordination – statewide 24/7 crisis service The statewide 24/7 crisis service undertakes statewide coordination of family violence after-hours crisis responses. Their key roles and responsibilities are to: receive after-hours calls and referrals from across Victoria undertake risk, needs and safety assessments and triage referrals refer to After-Hours Child Protection Emergency Service where children are assessed as being at significant and immediate risk of harm refer to the Sexual Assault Crisis Line where sexual assault support is required (with consent of victim survivor) provide phone-based support and assistance to victim survivors (including safety planning, emotional support, information, referrals) arrange access to emergency accommodation for victim survivors statewide as required, including provision of material aid