The Centre for Non-Violence (CNV and formerly known as EASE) was established as a feminist collective in 1990.

A group of local Bendigo women formed a collective to provide feminist led and feminist informed responses to women – and in particular young women’s – experience of housing stress and homelessness.

What started as a one worker service, with a vision of providing safe and secure accommodation to young women, and tailored services to meet their needs, soon expanded to respond to what we realised (and always knew): that family violence is the leading driver of homelessness for women. This led CNV to build on our work with young women to grow and develop innovative services in family violence prevention, response and recovery for people who have experienced, or use family violence.

"CNV's history represents a community-led, social movement where women in the community saw a need and created our organisation in the face of opposition and disbelief.”

Margaret Augerinos, CEO

An overview of CNV's history

1990

Established as a young women’s housing service by local women

1994

First funding approved for domestic violence outreach to the region

2000

Developed and implemented the integrated client services division

2005

Developed Loddon Campaspe Integrated FV Consortium

2009

Developed and implemented the prevention and development division

2013

Two purpose-built units for pregnant and parenting young women opened

2014

Partnered in the Identifying and Responding to Family Violence (Early Years) Project

2015

Partnered with Go Goldfields Family Violence Project and HATCH consultations

2017

Relocated head office in Bendigo and expanded across three regional locations

2018

Making aMENds program established

2019

Safe, Thriving & Connected program established

2020

Solidarity Cards codesigned

2021

Orange Door Loddon opened and Making it Right adolescent program developed

2022

Family Violence connector role, Innovation and Impact Unit established and Women with Disability Victoria Loddon Hub Partnership developed

2023

Family Violence Disability Practice Leadership Project implemented

Find out more

Woman in green top and glasses smiling at camera

About us

The Centre for Non-Violence (CNV) is the leading family violence service in Victoria’s Loddon region.

We work with women, children, young people, older people and LGBTQIA+ people who are experiencing family violence.

Our services

We work with women, children, young people, older people and LGBTQIA+ people who are experiencing family violence.

Sunrise over a misty paddock in the Loddon region

What is family violence?

Family violence is a pattern of abusive behaviour towards a family member or partner that causes fear.

Employee benefits

Up to $15,860 and above award wages and conditions

Generous leave

Leave entitlements including cultural, pandemic, and above award sick leave

Parental leave

12 weeks paid parental leave after one year of service

Bonus leave

Additional one week bonus leave annually

WFH station

Full ergonomic WFH work station provided

Employee learning

Ongoing learning and development opportunities

Flexible work

Flexible work arrangements

Fruit deliveries

Weekly fruit deliveries

Purchased leave

Purchase leave available

Wellbeing program

Active wellbeing program led by staff for staff

Employee Assistance

Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Respectful culture

Culture of inclusiveness, support and respect