The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre

What The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre does

The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre (The SAFV Centre) is an Australian non-profit organisation headquartered in Geelong, Victoria, delivering integrated specialist sexual assault and family violence services across the Barwon, Wimmera, and South West regions — roughly one-third of the state. Established through predecessor organisations dating to the late 1970s and formally merged into its current integrated structure in 2018 (Barwon CASA + Minerva Community Services), the organisation employs more than 230 staff and supports over 5,400 clients annually.

The service portfolio combines 24/7 crisis response (Sexual Assault Crisis Line, Safe Steps referral), free trauma-informed counselling, specialist case management for women and children, therapeutic group programs (Body and Mind, Sexually Abusive Behaviours Treatment Service, Step Up), refuge accommodation (six-unit Women and Children Refuge), a civil law program (Emma House Legal), the Victims Assistance Program, primary prevention initiatives (including the Respect Starts Here sporting-club program), and professional training delivered to sectors including police, education, justice, and community services. Delivery channels span physical offices in Geelong, Horsham, and Warrnambool, co-location within The Orange Door and Barwon Multidisciplinary Centre, outreach locations, and virtual platforms (video, phone, webchat). The organisation also operates a facility dog (Baila) programme delivered in partnership with Guide Dogs Victoria.

The business model is government-commissioned: primary revenue comes from Victorian Government departments (Department of Families, Fairness and Housing; Department of Justice; Sport and Recreation Victoria), supplemented by tax-deductible donations and community fundraising (Geelong Giving Tree Appeal, Christmas campaigns). All client services are provided free of charge. The organisation holds no parent company, is governed by an independent Board chaired by Vesna Allan, and is led by CEO Kerriann Campbell-Jones (appointed 2023). Emma House Domestic Violence Service became a wholly-owned subsidiary through a voluntary acquisition completed in October 2023.

Name

The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre

Legal name

The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre

Website

https://safvcentre.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The SAFV Centre is a Victorian non-profit delivering integrated sexual assault and family violence services — including 24/7 crisis care, counselling, case management, therapeutic programs, refuge, legal services, and primary prevention — across the Barwon, Wimmera, and South West regions, funded primarily by government contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialist Family Violence and Sexual Assault Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Assistance (624), Child and Youth Services (62411), Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Protection, Child Protection & Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response (BPAGAAAG), Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Legal Aid) (BPADADAH), Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services (BPAGAEAM), Victim Services & Witness Assistance (Justice System) (BPAIAFAJ)

Keywords

• Family violence support
• Sexual assault services
• Trauma-informed counselling
• Crisis intervention services
• Victims assistance program

Headquarters

HQ city

Geelong West

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Funding / Grants: Primary funding from Victorian Government departments (Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Department of Justice, Sport and Recreation Victoria) to deliver specialist sexual assault, family violence, victims assistance, and primary prevention services. Funding covers operational costs, staffing, and program delivery.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations (all donations over $2 are tax deductible) used for direct client service support. Fundraising activities include Geelong Giving Tree Appeal, Christmas fundraising campaigns, and community fundraising events.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The SAFV Centre provides free, trauma-informed, specialist services to people impacted by sexual assault and family violence across the Barwon, Wimmera, and South West regions of Victoria. Core offerings include 24-hour crisis care, counselling, case management, therapeutic group programs, the Emma House Legal Program, the Victims Assistance Program, refuge accommodation, and primary prevention programs (including Respect Starts Here with sporting clubs). All services are free to clients, funded by the Victorian Government and community donations.

Product overview

The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre offers a comprehensive suite of integrated specialist services delivered through a unified organizational structure. The core service portfolio includes 24 Hour Crisis Care, Counselling, Case Management, and Crisis Care as foundational response services. Therapeutic offerings encompass the Body and Mind Program, Sexually Abusive Behaviours Treatment Service (SABTS), Harmful Sexual Behaviours Program, Adolescent Family Violence – Step Up Program, and Groups. Prevention services include Primary Prevention and the Respect Starts Here program. Support services comprise Victims Assistance Program, Secondary Consultation, and Children and Young People Services. Legal services are provided through the Emma House Legal Program. All services are trauma-informed and cover the Barwon, Wimmera, and South West regions of Victoria.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 24 Hour Crisis Care Free, 24/7 immediate crisis response and support for anyone who has experienced a recent sexual assault, or women and children experiencing family violence, delivered across the Barwon, Wimmera, and South West regions of Victoria.
• Counselling Free and confidential trauma-informed counselling services for clients affected by sexual assault and family violence, delivered in-person and via virtual service platforms across the Barwon, Wimmera, and South West regions.
• Case Management Free and confidential specialist case management support for women and children experiencing family violence across the Barwon and South West regions.
• Body and Mind Program A five-session calming therapeutic program for women who have experienced sexual assault and family violence, and men who have experienced sexual assault, helping clients understand and manage the impact of trauma on body and mind.
• Sexually Abusive Behaviours Treatment Service (SABTS) Specialized therapeutic treatment service for young people who have engaged in harmful sexual or sexually abusive behaviours, delivered across the Barwon and Wimmera regions.
• Harmful Sexual Behaviours Program Early intervention program for children and young people who have engaged in harmful sexual or sexually abusive behaviours, or family violence.
• Adolescent Family Violence - Step Up Program Therapeutic support program for adolescents involved in family violence situations.
• Primary Prevention Prevention initiatives that support gender equality, promote respectful relationships in the community, and contribute to the prevention of violence against women.
• Respect Starts Here Whole-of-club primary prevention program for sporting clubs that supports gender equality, promotes respect, and contributes to the prevention of violence against women (delivered with AFL Barwon clubs).
• Training Professional and custom training sessions supporting understanding of sexual and family violence, how to respond, and how to prevent it; delivered to professionals across police, law, child protection, education, sport, and community services.
• Victims Assistance Program (VAP) Specialized support for victims of crime delivered through the Victims Assistance Program for the Barwon and South West regions.
• Secondary Consultation Consultation services provided to other professionals within the Barwon and Wimmera regions.
• Emma House Legal Program Legal services covering parenting agreements, child support, spousal maintenance disputes, division of property, family dispute resolution, divorce, tenancy, airport watch list applications, recovery orders, fines, and financial assistance scheme applications, delivered through the South West region.
• Children and Young People Services Specialized support services for children and young people (0-17 years) impacted by sexual assault and family violence, including therapeutic treatment, harmful sexual behaviours treatment, adolescent family violence support, and the Body and Mind Program.
• Groups Therapeutic and support group programs for clients accessing the organisation's services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,499 total clients supported in 2024/2025
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Emma House Domestic Violence ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023Emma House Domestic Violence Service in the South West officially merged with The SAFV Centre in October 2023, becoming part of The SAFV Centre while maintaining its local identity as Emma House. The merger was approved by Emma House members, Boards, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, and Victoria Legal Aid. This created a stronger, sustainable organisation providing specialist family violence services across Barwon, South West, and Wimmera regions.
• Guide Dogs VictoriasupportingOthers · 1 March 2023Guide Dogs Victoria provided Baila, a 17-month-old Labrador facility dog, trained with therapy dog skills and specialist skills specific to The SAFV Centre. Baila supports client wellbeing during appointments, offers comfort to isolated clients, and reduces stress and anxiety. Following an eight-week pilot with 100% positive client feedback, Baila was permanently integrated across all services.
• Meli (formerly Bethany Community Support and BCYF)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Meli partners with The SAFV Centre on the annual Geelong Giving Tree Appeal, the Candlelight Vigil, and other community support initiatives. Meli and The SAFV Centre co-hosted the 2023 Candlelight Vigil along with Safe Steps, The City of Greater Geelong, and Deakin University.
• Kardinia Park Stadium TrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Announced their Respect at Our Stadium action plan at the Respect in Action event, aiming to address behaviours and attitudes that drive gender-based violence. Collaborates with The SAFV Centre and Victorian Government on primary prevention initiatives at the stadium venue.
• Sport and Recreation VictoriasupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Launched the Safe and Inclusive Sport: Preventing gender-based violence Guide at the Respect in Action event. Provides guiding principles, case studies, and practical tools for state sporting associations, regional sports assemblies, and community health services working in prevention of gender-based violence in community sport settings.
• Emma House Domestic Violence Service (pre-merger partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2022Prior to the merger, The SAFV Centre and Emma House entered a formal partnership to explore alignment. Both organisations shared similar philosophy, purpose, and values in delivering services to women and children impacted by family violence. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed to enable close collaboration and consultation with staff, members, clients, and stakeholders.
• AFL BarwoncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Three-season community partnership centred on the Respect Starts Here program, which works with selected AFL Barwon clubs to promote gender equality and address violence against women. The program engages players and members through interactive workshops on violence against women, gendered drivers of violence, and bystander intervention strategies.
• Barwon Multidisciplinary Centre (Barwon MDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SAFV Centre is a proud partner organisation in the Barwon Multidisciplinary Centre (MDC), a collaborative hub housing multiple agencies providing an integrated and holistic response to victim survivors of sexual assault and family violence. The MDC includes Victoria Police (Sexual Offences and Child-abuse Investigation Team) and Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
• The Orange Door (Barwon and South West)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Orange Door is a local Barwon and South West Support & Safety Hub. The SAFV Centre has staff located within The Orange Door Barwon and South West locations, supporting clients experiencing family violence. The Orange Door is located in the Geelong CBD.
• Safe Steps Family Violence Response CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partnership for the Geelong Candlelight Vigil as part of National Family Violence Remembrance Day. Safe Steps hosts the annual vigil and The SAFV Centre participates as a local partner, along with Meli, The City of Greater Geelong, and Deakin University.
• Women's Health GrampianssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported the Left Write Hook Sexual Assault Awareness Month screening and panel discussion at Federation University Horsham, co-presented by The SAFV Centre. Contributed to community education and awareness initiatives in the Wimmera region.
• Wimmera South West Family Violence PartnershipsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported the Left Write Hook Sexual Assault Awareness Month event as part of collaborative prevention initiatives across the Wimmera South West region.
• Deakin UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for the Geelong Candlelight Vigil and 16 Days of Activism events. Hosted the Our Stories for Change art exhibition as part of the 16 Days of Activism at Deakin University.
• City of Greater GeelongsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Geelong Giving Tree Appeal (launched at the Floating Christmas Tree Sound and Light Show), Candlelight Vigil (lights up buildings purple), and various community events. Buildings and landmarks across Geelong illuminated for awareness campaigns.
• Local Councils and Sporting Clubs (Geelong region)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating clubs in Respect Starts Here program include Ocean Grove, St Albans, Portarlington, and Geelong West Giants. Local councils participate in Respect in Action events and community awareness initiatives.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Berry Street: One of Australia's largest independent family and community services organisations, delivering family violence, child welfare, and therapeutic services across Victoria. Like SAFV Centre, it combines government-funded specialist services with crisis response and therapeutic programs at significant scale.
• Wesley Mission Victoria: Large faith-based community services organisation delivering family violence, homelessness, and community support across Victoria. Broader portfolio than SAFV Centre but directly comparable in family violence service delivery, case management, and government contract dependency.

Direct peers

• Centre for Non-Violence: Regional Victoria–based specialist family violence service provider operating across Bendigo and central Victoria. Delivers similar integrated crisis, counselling, case management, and legal services as SAFV Centre, making it a directly comparable regional peer.
• Barwon Community Legal Service: Geelong-based community legal service housing family violence and family law practitioners (including SAFV Centre board member Tamara Kotowicz). Provides directly comparable legal services to victim survivors and is a key referral partner for SAFV Centre's Emma House Legal Program.
• Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre: Victoria's statewide 24/7 family violence crisis response line and service provider. SAFV Centre refers clients to Safe Steps and partners with them on the annual Candlelight Vigil, positioning them as a direct comparable in crisis-line-led family violence response.
• No To Violence: Victoria's specialist peak body and service provider working with men to end family violence. Operates the Men's Referral Service and provides training and perpetrator intervention programs — a directly comparable specialist service with overlapping government funding sources.
• Meli (formerly Bethany Community Support): Geelong-based family and community services organisation that partners with SAFV Centre on community events (Candlelight Vigil, Giving Tree Appeal). Delivers overlapping family violence, child and family, and community support services in the same Barwon region.

Regional players

• Women's Health Grampians: Regional women's health service covering the Wimmera South West area, directly overlapping with SAFV Centre's Wimmera region. Collaborates with SAFV Centre on community awareness events and primary prevention, making it a regional peer with overlapping catchment.

Emerging players

• Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA): Aboriginal-led community services organisation delivering child and family welfare, family violence, and therapeutic services across Victoria. Comparable in trauma-informed specialist service delivery and government funding model, with culturally distinct focus creating both partnership and differentiation potential.

Others

• Domestic Violence Victoria: Peak body representing Victorian specialist family violence services. While not a direct service-delivery peer, it is the sector umbrella SAFV Centre operates within and serves as a key coordination and advocacy body for the same funded service network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/SAFVCentre
• Facebookfacebook.com/safvcentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/safvcentre
• Instagraminstagram.com/thesafvcentre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre