THE Victorian Government is expanding an innovative program that places specialist family violence workers alongside police.
Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Natalie Hutchins this week announced a $1.5 million investment for the Alexis Family Violence Response Model (Alexis-FVRM), funded by the Labor Government’s Strengthening Women’s Safety Package.
Run by the Salvation Army, the Alexis-FVRM currently works across Prahran, Bayside, Morwell and Wonthaggi.
The additional funding will enable the program to expand to two new sites based on police advice.
The program embeds two specialised family violence workers within Victoria Police Family Violence Investigation Units to provide immediate, coordinated support after serious incidents.
These teams engage directly with victim-survivors, including children and young people who are at serious risk, as well as with perpetrators who use family violence.
They deliver targeted interventions for families where traditional risk management approaches may not work – such as when they are disengaged from police or services, there is repeated, high-risk violence, or complex issues such as drug and alcohol use or mental health conditions.
It’s a timely initiative. The rate of family violence incidents in Bass Coast (2102.6 per 100,000) and South Gippsland (1931.6) are both ahead of the state average of 1499.6 per 100,000 with the number of incidents up 8% in Bass Coast in the year to June 30, 2025 and up 5% in South Gippsland.
These numbers are ahead of urban fringe neighbours Case 1560.8 up 13.6% and Cardinia 1547.7 up 22.4% but no where near as bad as the rate of family violence in East Gippsland at 5021.5 per 100,000 up 24.3% and 3804.1 in the Latrobe Valley down 0.6% in the year.
“This program has a proven track record of improving safety, holding perpetrators to account and supporting long-term behaviour change,” said the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Natalie Hutchins.
"This investment builds on the work we’re doing right across Victoria to stop family violence before it starts, support victim-survivors and keep women and children safe.”
“Victoria Police plays a critical role in responding to family violence – having specialist workers embedded alongside officers means better support for victims from the very first call,” said Minister for Police Anthony Carbines.
“These partnerships help police intervene earlier, better protect women and children and connect families with the services they need to stay safe.”
The Salvation Army’s National General Manager Family Violence and Modern Slavery Lorrinda Hamilton welcomed the initiative.
“We welcome the announcement of government investment into the successful Alexis-FVRM. Evidence demonstrates a reduction in risk and recidivism while increasing the overall safety of victim-survivors.”