What
we do
Previously known as the Women’s Liberation Halfway House, YANA has been providing holistic support for victim-survivors impacted by family violence since 1974. Our services include:
Short term crisis accommodation
Yana Family Violence provides high-security refuge accommodation in the Northern Region. We collaborate with various agencies and housing providers to support victim-survivors and their children in transitioning to crisis accommodation or Transitional Housing Management (THM) properties.
Our refuges are located at undisclosed, gated, and secure locations, ensuring safety and privacy.
Our refuges consist of individual units, each equipped with its own kitchen, bathroom, and separate courtyard/balcony. Unit sizes range from one to three bedrooms, including one disability-access unit. All units are fully furnished, with bedding and linen provided.
We offer enclosed secure parking for victim-survivors staying with us. Each refuge site features children’s playgrounds, barbecue facilities, and a multipurpose room for activities. Our staff work on-site in separate offices with designated meeting rooms.
Support for victim survivors
Clients are referred to us by Safe Steps, Victoria’s state-wide refuge referral service. Our support is 24/7 and all our workers are highly skilled with expertise in family violence.
When clients arrive, we first help them settle into their accommodation, provide emergency food and clothing, and start working with them to improve their safety and wellbeing.
We conduct risk assessments to understand the level of family violence risk and create personalised safety plans with our clients.
Each client’s journey to safety and wellbeing is unique. Our staff collaborates with each client to develop a personalised plan for a safer and better life.
This plan may include urgent Centrelink payments, family violence counselling, legal support, and housing assistance.
Support for children
Children at YANA Family Violence Service are also considered clients. Our Specialist Children’s and Young People’s Practitioners work with children and young people to address their safety and needs. This might include continuing their education, providing counselling support, and ensuring they have time to play.
We offer additional support to settle the children in school and child care short term arrangements. We support parents to communicate to the children about the changes they are experiencing and support with parenting skills.
We link with maternal child health staff and other children’s services to offer programs that will support children’s well being – including play groups and other recreational activities.
Outreach support
YANA offers outreach support to assist people experiencing family violence living in the broader community, whether in their own homes, motels, with friends or family, or in other types of housing.
Our specialist support workers provide safety planning, risk assessments, material aid, and emotional support to enhance the safety and wellbeing of victim-survivors.
We accept self-referrals and referrals from other services, such as doctors, psychologists, and social workers. YANA supports women from diverse cultural backgrounds and community groups, including LGBTQI+.
Pet project
YANA is proud to welcome pets. Animals are often victims of abuse, and many women delay seeking refuge out of concern for their pets' safety.
At YANA, victim-survivors can bring pets with them, if the accommodation is suitable. We work closely with a local vet to ensure pets remains healthy and happy.
Art therapy
We are very excited to restart the Art Therapy program for the children in our refuge with the support of Children’s Specialist Workers and other supporting organisations.
The program aims to encourage the wellbeing of women and children escaping family violence and empower them through creative art activities. It focuses on helping participants re-establish a sense of self-belief and self-worth, allowing them to see themselves as survivors and creative individuals.
Court support
We understand that victim survivors may need to address legal issues when they leave a family violence situation.
Our staff will ensure you have access to proper legal advice and link you to either a community legal centre or legal aid lawyers and ensure you get the support you need.
Our staff can attend court and other legal appointments with you and your lawyers for extra support.