DV Vic and DVRCV have united to form Safe and Equal, Victoria’s peak body for family and gender-based violence

For more than three decades, DV Vic and DVRCV have been two key organisations in the establishment and coordination of the specialist family violence sector in Victoria.  

The merge combines over thirty years of experience in advocacy and innovation for change in the family violence sector. Connecting strength, capacity and resources for greater impact, Safe and Equal is the peak body representing specialist family violence services supporting victim survivors across Victoria.  

“Following the Royal Commission into Family Violence, the Victorian specialist family violence sector has been subject to major and ongoing reforms. It became clear that by bringing together the skills and expertise of both organisations, we could increase and strengthen our capacity to support specialist services through these changes and into the future.” – Stacey Ong, Chair, Safe and Equal.  

“The roles of DV Vic and DVRCV have always been highly complementary, with closely aligned visions, purpose and values, and frequent collaboration in advocacy and campaigning. This merger provides the specialist family violence sector with a peak organisation that has more reach than ever before, across the continuum of prevention to recovery.” - Tania Farha, CEO, Safe and Equal. 

Safe and Equal will continue to work with practitioners and leaders to bring grassroots issues into the public arena, coordinate and participate in advocacy and action to reform policy and improve the service system, and scale up and embed practice development and innovation across the sector.   

The new name, Safe and Equal was selected after extensive consultation and feedback from victim survivors. It is a bold statement in support of the organisation’s vision: a world beyond family and gender-based violence, where women, children and all people from marginalised communities are safe, thriving and respected.  

Safe and Equal: Standing strong against family violence