Emerge - Women & Children's Support Network

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Emerge - Women & Children's Support Network

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Emerge is a specialist family violence service supporting women and children across Victoria.

We provide safe refuge, outreach, early intervention and therapeutic support, helping families rebuild their lives after violence with dignity and hope. We assist women and children in crisis to rebuild their lives and break the cycle of violence.

05/11/2026

The relationships that shape our experiences can also play an important role in recovery.

When we asked our team what they find most meaningful about their work, one staff member reflected on the importance of creating positive, supportive relationships with women and children who have experienced family violence.

As they explained:

“A relational problem requires a relational solution.”

Family violence can profoundly affect a person's sense of trust, self-worth and connection with others.

Our team member spoke about the importance of recognising the impacts of trauma without defining people by their experiences, and helping women and children reconnect with their strengths and sense of identity.

For them, some of the most meaningful moments are when those strengths begin to shine through, beyond the trauma and crisis.

It's a reminder that trauma-informed support is not only about responding to immediate needs. It's also about the relationships, understanding and opportunities that can help people rebuild confidence and connection.

04/11/2026

For women and children experiencing family violence, access to safe and secure housing is fundamental to rebuilding their lives.

But finding somewhere safe to stay is often just the first step. Long-term recovery also depends on stable housing, financial independence and ongoing specialist support.

At Emerge, we witness firsthand how closely housing security and recovery are connected.

Through safe refuge, crisis and transitional accommodation, outreach and therapeutic support, we work alongside women and children as they navigate the journey towards safety, stability and rebuilding their lives.

As part of its Victorian election campaign, Safe and Equal is calling for greater investment in specialist refuge capacity, social housing and holistic recovery support.

We stand alongside Safe and Equal and our sector colleagues in advocating for accessible housing pathways and sustained specialist support.

Because safety should be the beginning of a more secure future, not a temporary reprieve from violence.

27/10/2026

We've now sold over 70% of tickets to Stand Up Together – and we couldn't be more excited!

An incredible line-up of Australian comedians, one iconic Melbourne venue and a community coming together for a future free from family violence.

A huge thank you to everyone who has already secured their seats. Your support means so much to Emerge and the women and children we work alongside.

If you haven't booked yet, now's the time!

🎤 Stand Up Together
📅 Thursday 10 December
📍 Melbourne Town Hall
🎟️ Tickets from $80

Come for the comedy. Stand Up Together for a future free from family violence.

🎟️ Book tickets here: https://micf.online.red61.com.au/event/3936:12594/3936:114641/

❤️Donate in lieu of ticket: https://www.givenow.com.au/standuptogether

Stand Up Together is supported by the City of Melbourne and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Bron Lewis Comedy

26/10/2026

Stay connected with Emerge 💙

Our October newsletter is out now!

Want to stay up to date with the work we're doing to support women and children impacted by family violence?

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news, stories of impact, community partnerships and insights into our programs and services.

From innovative early intervention programs to the generosity of our supporters, there's always something happening at Emerge.

📩 Join our community and stay in the loop.

🔗 Subscribe via our website homepage: https://buff.ly/AMHdkRH

14/10/2026

When families need somewhere safe to turn, the support system needs to be there.

Today, Emerge is joining the Victorian Homelessness Network (VHN) in amplifying its SMASHED – Homelessness Services at Breaking Point campaign.

Drawing on research involving 50 homelessness entry point services across Victoria, SMASHED highlights the significant pressures facing frontline services and the growing gap between demand and the capacity to respond.

One particularly concerning finding is that 76% of entry points reported being unable to assist people with children at risk of homelessness at some point during the survey periods.

For women and children experiencing family violence, access to safe and secure housing can be critical to escaping violence and beginning the journey towards recovery.

At Emerge, we understand the importance of safe accommodation alongside specialist, ongoing support. We also recognise the broader challenges facing a homelessness system struggling to meet increasing demand.

We stand alongside VHN and our sector colleagues in calling for sustained investment and meaningful reform to ensure people seeking safety can access the support they need.

When the front door is under pressure, the whole system feels it.

🔗 Read the SMASHED executive summary and its recommendations here: https://buff.ly/smreSPt

Launch Housing

12/10/2026

WOW! Our Early Bird tickets have SOLD OUT! 🎟️

All 300 Early Bird tickets for Stand Up Together have been snapped up, and we couldn't be more excited!

A huge thank you to everyone who has already purchased tickets and shown their support for Emerge. 💙

If you missed out on Early Bird tickets, don't worry – tickets are still available, with concessions at $80 and general admission at $95.

Join us for an incredible night of comedy at Melbourne Town Hall, featuring some of Australia's best comedians, all coming together to support women and children impacted by family violence.

📅 Thursday 10 December 2026
📍 Melbourne Town Hall
⏰ 7–9pm

Come for the comedy. Stand Up Together for a future free from family violence.

🎟️ Book your tickets via our website: https://buff.ly/JBKbb0H

Stand Up Together is supported by the City of Melbourne and Melbourne International Comedy Fesitval.

Bron Lewis Comedy
Melbourne International Comedy Festival

06/10/2026

Tickets are officially ON SALE for Stand Up Together!

This December, an incredible line-up of Australian comedians is coming together at Melbourne Town Hall for one very special night - raising funds to support women and children impacted by family violence.

Hosted by Bron Lewis, Stand Up Together will feature:
Anisa Nandaula • Celia Pacquola • Claire Hooper • Dave Thornton • Denise Scott • Ivan Aristeguieta • Joel Creasey • Rhys Nicholson • Scout Boxall

📅 Thursday 10 December 2026
📍 Melbourne Town Hall
⏰ 7–9pm

And if you’re quick, the first 300 tickets are just $80 with our Early Bird offer.

Every ticket sold supports Emerge’s work with women and children impacted by family violence.

Come for the comedy. Stand Up Together for a future free from family violence.

🎟️ Book now: https://buff.ly/JBKbb0H

Stand Up Together is supported by the City of Melbourne.

Bron Lewis Comedy
Anisa Nandaula
Celia Pacquola
Claire Hooper
Denise Scott
Dave Thornton
Rhys Nicholson
Scout Boxall
Ivan Aristeguieta
Joel Creasey

29/09/2026

A little everyday luxury, with choice at the centre. 💙

Through our ongoing partnership with Regenerate, Emerge recently received a generous collection of beauty products donated by Mecca.

Our team created a beautiful little market at our refuge with the donated products. From skincare and makeup to a few little luxuries, our clients had the opportunity to take their time, explore what was available and choose something that appealed to them.

Regenerate has been a valued partner of Emerge for many years, providing practical, material support to women and children at important points in their journey of recovery from family violence. We’re incredibly grateful for their continued generosity, and for the beautiful products donated by Mecca that made this particular market possible.

Thank you to Regenerate Org for continuing to bring such thoughtfulness to the way you support our clients.

MECCA

24/09/2026

When we asked our team to reflect on the moments that show the impact of Emerge’s services, one staff member shared the experience of supporting a mother and child at refuge.

When the child first arrived, they were heightened and guarded, with little eye contact. Through trauma-informed support, over time there were signs that the child was beginning to feel safer - becoming calmer, returning to play and reconnecting with their mother.

As our team member reflected:

“We began to see a calmer child, with play and joy returning and close bonds with their mother rebuilding.”

Family violence can disrupt the relationship between a child and their safe caregiver. Creating the conditions for safety, connection and trust to begin rebuilding is an important part of supporting recovery for both mother and child.

Sometimes the impact is found in moments like these - a child beginning to play again, joy returning, and a relationship beginning to heal.

21/09/2026

Every child deserves to grow up safe.

The first priority in Safe and Equal's 2026 Victorian State Election Platform focuses on children and young people.

Children experience family violence in their own right, with needs that are distinct from those of their safe caregiver. Yet access to specialist support designed specifically around those needs remains inconsistent.

At Emerge, centring the rights and needs of children is fundamental to our purpose and the future direction of our services.

Our work recognises children and young people as victim-survivors in their own right. We are committed to embedding early intervention across our service model, strengthening developmentally appropriate responses for children of all ages, and continuing to build our team's child-centred capability.

That commitment is already reflected in our dedicated Children's Case Managers and programs such as Back on Track, which works with children impacted by family violence and their safe caregivers to support recovery, strengthen relationships and help break cycles of violence.

Safe and Equal is calling for dedicated investment in specialist services designed around the needs of children and young people, alongside investment to strengthen workforce capability and build greater understanding of what works.

For Emerge, putting children at the centre isn't simply about recognising their experience of family violence. It's about building a service system capable of responding to their individual needs and supporting their long-term recovery.

Learn more about Safe and Equal's 2026 Victorian State Election Platform:
https://buff.ly/ssTzr0E
Safe and Equal

Address

Melbourne, VIC

Website

http://www.emergesupport.org.au/

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