This includes individual counselling, dyad (parent/child) counselling and therapeutic groupwork. Safety is at the core of our work, with therapeutic supports integrated within specialist family violence risk assessment and safety responses.
We support victim survivors to reclaim their sense of self, tell their story in strengthening ways, repair parent-child relationships ruptured by family violence, and increase feelings of solidarity and connection with others.
STC is delivered by the Loddon Gender Equality and Violence Prevention Consortium: Centre for Non-Violence (lead agency); Annie North Women’s Refuge and Domestic Violence Service; Women’s Health Loddon Mallee; Centre Against Sexual Assault Central Victoria; and Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health.
Eligibility and Referral Guidelines
Clients that meet the following guidelines are eligible for the Safe, Thriving & Connected program:
Experience of family violence
Adults, children, and young people who are victim survivors of family violence (current or historic). As STC is legislated under the Multi Agency Risk and Management (MARAM) framework and Family Violence & Child Information Sharing Schemes (FVISS &CISS), we may at times need to gather further information to assess risk.
Safe from elevated risk
Safe from elevated, serious and imminent risk of family violence. Agencies mandated under MARAM legislation must provide a complete MARAM risk assessment with all referrals before intake will proceed.
Therapeutically ready
Adults, children and young people who have stable living conditions and can commit to regular therapeutic sessions. STC does not accept referrals for clients with high levels of service-involvement.
Not requiring case management
STC does not provide case management and cannot accept referrals for clients with unmet risk management, housing, drug and alcohol or other case management needs.
The Safe Thriving & Connected program is supported by the Victorian Government.
Complete a secure online referral below
Downloads
Information for Referring Agencies
Detailed overview of guidelines, services, referral pathways, principles, and contact details.
Program Poster
A simple summary of the Safe, Thriving & Connected program in the English language.
Program Brochure - English
DL Brochure explaining the Safe, Thriving & Connected program in the English language.
Program Brochure - Arabic
DL Brochure explaining the Safe, Thriving & Connected program in the Arabic language.
Program Brochure - Dari
DL Brochure explaining the Safe, Thriving & Connected program in the Dari language.
Program Brochure - Dinka
DL Brochure explaining the Safe, Thriving & Connected program in the Dinka language.
Program Brochure - Filipino
DL Brochure explaining the Safe, Thriving & Connected program in the Filipino language.
Program Brochure - Karen
DL Brochure explaining the Safe, Thriving & Connected program in the Karen language.
Frequently Asked Questions
STC clinicians are based at the Centre for Non-Violence, Annie North Women’s Refuge, Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health Centre, and Centre Against Sexual Assault Central Victoria. Appointments are offered in Bendigo, Echuca, Castlemaine, Macedon Ranges, and Maryborough.
Yes, for any clients who face obstacles in attending face-to-face appointments, we can arrange remote therapeutic sessions including via phone and video.
Yes, unfortunately due to high demand we do have a waitlist but we try our best to work with people as soon as possible. Waiting times vary, but during intake we can try to provide a current estimate.
STC therapists are trained in a wide range of therapeutic modalities including Gestalt, Narrative Therapy, Art Therapy, Mindfulness, Somatic body-based therapies, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Child Centered Play Therapy. While completing intake, workers can explore client preferences.
We offer the following groupwork programs:
- Future Group is an 8-week Narrative Therapy Group for women and gender-diverse people who have experienced family violence and are no longer in the abusive relationship. The Future Group supports healing, solidarity, and reclaiming sense of self. It is offered 4 x 8-week terms per year.
- Strong Voices Choir is a weekly choir for women and gender diverse people and accompanying children. Choir is facilitated by 2 choir leaders and 2 therapists, and is a space for connection, imperfection, and reprieve from hard times. Strong Voices Choir is also open to CNV case-management clients and clients who are waiting for individual therapy. Strong Voices choir runs for 4 x 8-week terms per year
- Alumni Group is an ongoing casual monthly group for people who have completed Future Group and are wanting to stay connected. It is a facilitated peer-support group, with opportunities to contribute to other survivors.
If you are interested in any of our group work programs, please make a referral into STC and indicate which group/s you are interested in.