‘You Are Not Alone’: Supporting victim survivors of family violence in South-East Melbourne

The You Are Not Alone (YANA) family violence program, which launched in late-2021, is now into its second group and the responses from women participating have been humbling.

The free, 8-week program is funded through Reimagining Health: A VicHealth Partnership Grant, and aims to help women in South-East Melbourne who are victim survivors of family violence to connect with each other and access peer support.

Feedback provided by women in the first 2 groups has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants sharing that:

• they felt validated and comforted
• it was helpful for them to know that they’re not alone and to hear other women’s stories
• the space was judgement-free and allowed them to be vulnerable
• having attended the group, they now feel more confident that they have the support and resources to get through.

Many of the women who attended the first group have also formed lasting connections and continued to stay in touch and support one another after the group finished.

We are currently evaluating the program and hope to continue to improve and expand upon the supports offered to women participating in the future.

I need support

If you are affected by family violence (domestic violence) and feel unsafe right now, please call 000 (triple zero) immediately.

If you require housing or other family violence support, please call Safe Steps (Victoria) 24/7 on 1800 015 188.

Relationships Australia Victoria is funded to provide free specialist counselling and support groups for women affected by family violence, and men’s behaviour change and case management programs for men who use violence in their relationships.

If you are a male or a member of the LGBTIQA+ community who is impacted by family violence, view our list of external domestic violence support services who can assist you.