Family violence and emergencies

Family violence increases in emergency-affected communities. The compounding effect on trauma can affect people's safety and wellbeing.

Evidence shows that family violence increases in emergency-affected communities. The compounding effect of trauma can affect people's safety and wellbeing.

Understanding family safety and working with other services is an important part of emergency planning.

Factors that may increase the risk of family violence include:

  • homelessness
  • financial stress
  • unemployment
  • drug and alcohol abuse.

Family Violence Framework for Emergency Management

The Family Violence Framework for Emergency Management supports planning and response during and after emergencies. It describes opportunities for collaboration between the family violence and emergency management sectors.

For more information about the framework, see:

Help and support

For more information, visit:

General services

General telephone counselling services

Other available support services

  • Rainbow Door is specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline. Call 1800 729 367 between 10am - 5pm, 7 days a week.
  • 13YARN is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support line offering confidential yarning with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander counsellor. Phone 139 276, 7 days, 24 hours.