14 January 2026
14 January 2026
As communities across regional Victoria respond to bushfires and their aftermath, No to Violence is underscoring the heightened risk of family violence during and after natural disasters.
Australian and international research shows family violence can increase significantly in the months and years following disasters, driven by displacement, financial stress, trauma, grief, unemployment, and increased alcohol and drug use. While these pressures are real, they never excuse violence.
No to Violence CEO Phillip Ripper said disasters often compound existing disadvantage, placing already vulnerable families at greater risk.
“Natural disasters create intense stress and disruption, but they do not cause violence. Violence is a choice,” Mr Ripper said.
Mr Ripper said emergency and recovery responses must explicitly account for family violence risk and ensure visible, accessible pathways for men to seek help early.
“Communities are under pressure, services are stretched, and many workers are responding while dealing with their own losses,” he said. “But people cannot access help if they don’t know it exists.”
No to Violence is urging people in disaster-affected communities to look out for one another during and after recovery periods. Checking in with friends, family and neighbours, and knowing how to respond when someone may be unsafe, can make a critical difference.
“Family violence can escalate behind closed doors during recovery. Early intervention is essential to reduce risk and prevent further harm to victim-survivors,” Mr Ripper said.
Support and Help
Please list the Men’s Referral Service with all Domestic, Sexual and Family Violence stories: No to Violence’s Men’s Referral Service provides 24/7 counselling and referrals for men who are concerned about their behaviour: 1300 766 491
If you are experiencing family violence or concerned about your safety, support is available.
In Victoria, Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre provides free, confidential support, safety planning and referrals, 24 hours a day on 1800 015 188 or at www.safesteps.org.au.
1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling service, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 737 732 or via online chat at www.1800respect.org.au.
If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
About No to Violence
No to Violence is the Australian peak body for organisations and individuals committed to ending men’s use of family violence. We support specialist men’s family violence services and operate the national Men’s Referral Service, a 24/7 telephone and online counselling and referral service to link men to the support they need, to get on a pathway of change and end their use of family violence. We undertake research, training and advocacy, and work with governments, employers and business to stop family violence at the source.
