Domestic Violence Crisis Service

What Domestic Violence Crisis Service does

Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS), legally Domestic Violence Crisis Services Inc, is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation founded in 1988 and headquartered in Fyshwick, Australian Capital Territory. It operates as a specialist domestic and family violence (DFV) service provider delivering a portfolio of programs — 24/7 telephone crisis intervention, legal support and advocacy (Court Advocacy Program, Family Violence Intervention Program), short-to-medium and long-term case management (Crisis Case Management, Staying@Home), men's behaviour change (Room4Change, 30 weeks, with Caring Dads component), children's support (Young People's Outreach Program for ages 5–12), and peer support groups (Moving On, Beyond). All services are delivered free of charge to clients, and the organization does not sell to end users; rather, it serves any individual in the ACT region affected by DFV.

The organisation has no proprietary technology platform; its core operating infrastructure consists of a 24/7 staffed crisis phone line, a WCAG AA-conformant informational website, and a network of community and government referral partnerships. Service delivery is grounded in a SAFER framework (Safety, Accountability, Feminist Framework, Equality, Respect) and trauma-informed practice, with cross-organisational standards delivered through partnerships such as the Beyond Program with A Gender Agenda and the Safe Phone program with Wesnet.

DVCS is funded through a mix of ACT government grants, tax-deductible individual and corporate donations (processed via Raisely), bequests, an annual membership program ($5–$50 tiers), and in-kind support from a broad corporate supporter base (Beyond Bank, Icon Water, Capital Chemist, Crimsafe, Parbery, etc.). It is governed by a voluntary Board of up to nine members, currently including Chair Kylie Burnett (also owner of Parbery), Deputy Chair Karen Moore (former Federal Attorney-General's Department senior executive), Treasurer Kate Glynn, Secretary Julie Vey, and members including recent appointees with HR, public-sector, and diplomatic backgrounds; the executive team is led by CEO Sue Webeck, Deputy CEO Brooke McKail, and Executive Director of Client Services Belinda Campbell. Headcount is in the 11–50 range, with seven functional team leaders across crisis intervention, case management, Room4Change, legal advocacy, partnerships, and practice development.

Name

Domestic Violence Crisis Service

Legal name

Domestic Violence Crisis Services Inc

Website

https://dvcs.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) is a Canberra-based not-for-profit, founded 1988, that provides free, specialist domestic and family violence support — 24/7 crisis intervention, legal advocacy, case management, men's behaviour change, children's programs, and support groups — to anyone in the ACT region, funded by government grants, donations, and memberships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic and Family Violence Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411), Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Legal Aid) (BPADADAH), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH)

Keywords

• Crisis intervention services
• Family violence support
• Legal advocacy services
• Men's behaviour change
• Community education training

Headquarters

HQ city

Fyshwick

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: DVCS receives funding from government organizations to support its core services. The organization works with funding organisations and government agencies as part of its advocacy and service delivery model.
2. Donations: Individual and corporate donations support DVCS programs. All donations over $2 are tax deductible in Australia. Donation tiers shown include $20 (transportation/accommodation costs), $50 (phone credit), $100 (meals for families), $250 (safe night in accommodation).
3. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees charged on a financial year basis (July 1 to June 30). Fee structure: Concession $5, Individual $10, Community/not-for-profit $25, Government/private business $50.
4. Bequests/Wills: DVCS accepts bequests from individuals who wish to make lasting impact through their estate, providing crucial resources for individuals experiencing domestic violence.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

DVCS provides a comprehensive suite of free, specialist domestic and family violence support services across the ACT region, anchored by a 24/7 crisis telephone line staffed by trained DFV practitioners. Service offerings include crisis intervention and safety planning, legal support and court advocacy, short- and long-term case management, a 30-week men's behaviour change program, support for children aged 5–12, peer support groups for women and for Trans, Intersex and Gender Diverse people, and education and training for service providers, government agencies, and workplaces.

Product overview

DVCS is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation offering a comprehensive suite of specialist domestic and family violence support services to the ACT region. The organisation operates a portfolio of interconnected programs including 24/7 Crisis Intervention telephone support, Legal Support & Advocacy (Court Advocacy Program and Family Violence Intervention Program), Case Management (Crisis Case Management and Staying@Home Program), Men's Behaviour Change through the Room4Change Program, Support for Children via the Young People's Outreach Program, and Support Groups including the Moving On Program and Beyond Program. Additional offerings include Education & Training for organisations and DVCS Membership for community engagement. All services are guided by evidence-based practice and a commitment to safety, accountability, feminist framework, equality, and respect.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Room4Change: A free 30-week program for men who want to stop their use of violence and controlling behaviours, including group and one-on-one sessions.
• Moving On Program
• Beyond Program
• Caring Dads
• Young People's Outreach Program
• Crisis Case Management
• Staying@Home Program
• Court Advocacy Program
• Family Violence Intervention Program

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Capital ChemistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner/supporter of DVCS. Listed as a supporter on the partnerships page, contributing to the organization's work towards a world free from violence and abuse.
• home.byhollyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner/supporter of DVCS. Listed as a supporter on the partnerships page, contributing to the organization's work towards a world free from violence and abuse.
• Canberra MilkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner/supporter of DVCS. Listed as a supporter on the partnerships page, contributing to the organization's work towards a world free from violence and abuse.
• ParberyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCanberra consulting firm partner/supporter of DVCS. The firm, owned by Kylie Burnett (DVCS Board Chair), provides support to the organization.
• CrimsafeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSecurity door provider partner/supporter of DVCS. Listed as a supporter on the partnerships page.
• Beyond BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity banking partner/supporter of DVCS. Listed as a supporter on the partnerships page.
• Icon WaterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUtility company partner/supporter of DVCS. Listed as a supporter on the partnerships page.
• Leader SecurityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSecurity services partner/supporter of DVCS. Listed as a supporter on the partnerships page.
• Monaro ScreensminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner/supporter of DVCS. Listed as a supporter on the partnerships page.
• GeodeticaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner/supporter of DVCS. Listed as a supporter on the partnerships page.
• Tall FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation partner/supporter of DVCS. Listed as a supporter on the partnerships page.
• A Gender AgendacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-creator of the Beyond Program - a support group for Trans, Intersex, and Gender Diverse people impacted by domestic and family violence. This is a strategic partnership where both organizations collaborate to deliver specialized services to underserved communities.
• WesnetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Wesnet's Safe Phone program. DVCS provides safe phones to clients through this partnership, helping survivors maintain communication safety.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• No to Violence: Australian national peak body for men's behaviour change programs, operating services that directly overlap with DVCS's Room4Change and Caring Dads programs, including perpetrator intervention and family violence prevention.
• Bravehearts: National child-focused organization addressing child sexual assault and exploitation; directly comparable to DVCS's Young People's Outreach Program serving children impacted by family violence.
• YWCA Australia: Federation of state-based YWCAs delivering women's safety, housing, and DV support programs with a feminist framework comparable to DVCS's SAFER principles.

Broad incumbents

• Lifeline Australia: National 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention service; competes for crisis-line funding and donors while overlapping DVCS's crisis intervention model at a broader scope.
• Relationships Australia: Federally funded provider of relationship and family services including family violence counselling, mediation, and case management across Australia — broader portfolio but overlapping DV programs.
• 1800RESPECT (DV Assist / Laurel House consortium): National Australia-wide DV and sexual assault counselling service funded by the Australian Government; competes for the same government funding pool and donor mindshare while offering a 24/7 helpline that overlaps DVCS's crisis line.

Regional players

• Women's Safety NSW: Peak body and service network for NSW women's domestic and family violence services; comparable in mission, specialist DV focus, and advocacy posture, but operating at NSW state scale.
• Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre: Victorian specialist family violence response service offering 24/7 crisis support, case management, and legal advocacy — directly comparable to DVCS but serving the larger Victorian market.
• DVConnect: Queensland statewide specialist domestic and family violence service offering crisis phone lines, counselling, and refuge referrals — a clear functional peer at a different geography.

Others

• Wesnet (Womens' Electronic Services Network): National peak body for women's safety technology and services; an existing DVCS strategic partner through the Safe Phone program, and an ecosystem enabler rather than a direct service competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dvcsact
• Facebookfacebook.com/DVCSACT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dvcsact
• Instagraminstagram.com/dvcsact

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Domestic Violence Crisis Service