Annie North Inc

08/09/2026

The difference between care and control matters.
We all want to feel cared for and safe in our relationships. But sometimes it can be hard to see the difference between care and control.

🤔 Does your partner insist on knowing exactly where you are at all times, or having access to all of your messages?
🤔 Do they make decisions about who you can be friends with, or what you wear?
🤔 Do they make you feel guilty for trying to say no?

These controlling behaviours are relationship ‘red flags’
They're the little things that build up and leave you feeling confused or unsure... Like you’re walking on eggshells, or maybe like you’re being ‘irrational’.

When we know how to see the signs of controlling behaviour (and what they can lead to), we can help each other recognise the difference between care and coercive control. It might be happening to you, or you might see it happening to someone you know.

The difference between care and control matters: because we all have a right to feel safe with the people we love.

Learn more about coercive control here: https://www.respectvictoria.vic.gov.au/prevention/recognise-violence/coercive-control-non-physical-Greater Bendigo Against Family Violence

04/09/2026

Annie North is a statewide not-for-profit specialist family violence service supporting women, children and young people escaping domestic and family violence through our Secure Women’s Refuge offering a crisis response; transitional housing and outreach support; and an after-hours response across the Loddon region.

Last financial year Annie North supported 103 women and 128 children and young people fleeing domestic, family and sexual violence with our Secure Women’s Refuge providing safety for ...

22 women which included
• 35% identifying as First Nations people
• 35% who are Culturally & Racially Marginalised
• 10% connected with the National Disability Insurance Scheme

27 children and young people which included
• 46% identifying as First Nations people
• 40% who are Culturally & Racially Marginalised
• 20% connected with the National Disability Insurance Scheme

Over recent months we have been delighted to welcome two new staff members to Annie North who bring qualifications and experience that allows us to add art and music therapy to the supports we offer.

Already, feedback is highlighting the benefits of these interventions during recovery as follows ...

01/09/2026

🌼 A great time to spring clean your electronics drawer/cupboard.

We would love your help!

Do you have an old or unused phone or charger sitting forgotten in the back of a drawer or cupboard?

Now is the perfect time to put it to good use!

We have been given the wonderful opportunity to become a collection point for unused devices. Donated phones are refurbished and put to use supporting people fleeing domestic violence, as well as other important community initiatives.

And there’s even more good news — the funds raised from these donated devices come back to us, helping us continue the work we do in our community.

So it really is a win-win:
✨ Clear out those unwanted phones
✨ Give them a new lease on life
✨ Help support people in need
✨ Help us continue making a difference locally

📍 Drop-off: 6 Nolan St
🗓️ Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday
⏰ 10am–3pm

All the details are on the graphic.

Please spread the word, share this post with your friends and family, and help us make this initiative a huge success!

One old phone can make a real difference.

12/08/2026

🌞Michelle was grateful for the opportunity to meet Glenda, Amy and the many wonderful volunteers at Sunshine Bendigo. It was great to see first-hand the important work they do, and to thank them for the valued relationship we share.

🌞The team are always warm, helpful and quick to respond, which makes such a difference when we are supporting women and children as they come into our care. We really appreciate their kindness, generosity and ongoing partnership.

Today we were delighted to welcome Michelle Crawford, Annie North’s new CEO, to see our service first-hand and gain a deeper understanding of what we do and how we support the people who come through our doors.

Annie North Inc is a specialist family violence service and refuge in Bendigo, and one of our many valued referring partners. Strong partnerships like this are so important in ensuring people experiencing family violence can access the right support, at the right time.

We look forward to continuing to work together, strengthening our partnership and finding even more ways we can support each other into the future.

10/08/2026

Over the weekend Safe and Equal released their new report in partnership with Equity Economics: ‘The Costs and Benefits of Fully Meeting Demand for Specialist Family Violence Services in Victoria’.

This insightful report reveals what we already knew at Annie North. That government's investment in family violence is not only imperative for the safety of women, children and young people escaping violent homes, it's also a smart fiscal decision.

As the report highlights, "if services were funded to meet current demand, Victoria would see an estimated $2.8 billion in social and economic benefits; delivering around $6 in value for every $1 invested through improved health and wellbeing and reduced pressure on our health, justice and child protection systems".

This year marks 10 years since the Royal Commission into Family Violence in Victoria which resulted in the development of a world-leading family violence system. However, there is still much more to be done to maintain momentum and meet the demand.

We join with colleagues in calling for an ongoing investment in prevention, early intervention and crisis responses to the increasing demand facing specialist family violence services like Annie North.

📑 You can access ‘The Costs and Benefits of Fully Meeting Demand for Specialist Family Violence Services in Victoria’ report here: https://ow.ly/Z3X350Zw0uq

📰 Thanks to the The Age's Wendy Tuohy for highlighting the report and need for investment through her insights, in an article found here: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/i-just-kind-of-toughed-through-it-annie-and-thousands-of-others-face-family-violence-alone-20260805-p60lru.html

As violence against women is again in the spotlight after a spate of killings, new research shows more than 3500 Victorian women a year can’t find services because demand is so high.

03/08/2026

At Annie North, we know firsthand that family, domestic and sexual violence is one of the main reasons women and children are forced to leave their homes in Australia.

Between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, our team supported 103 women and 128 children who had fled unsafe home environments. During this time, 22 women and 27 children were housed in our secure women’s refuge.

Leaving violence takes enormous courage, but the financial pressure and housing insecurity that can follow are overwhelming.

Last year, our colleagues at Homelessness Australia reported that “family and domestic violence is the homelessness driver that has increased most in the last two years; up 13% between June 2023 and June 2025”.

As a statewide specialist family violence crisis accommodation service, we see the urgent need for safe, secure housing every day.

This , we’re calling on all levels of government to work together to address the housing insecurity faced by women and children seeking safety, because everyone deserves a safe place to call home.

29/07/2026

We appreciate having a seat at this table to contribute on behalf of our clients and staff - to provide safe, inclusive and empowering services that support victim-survivors to recover, rebuild and live independently from violence. We are committed to placing the voices and experiences of women, children and young people at the centre of everything we do.

Our vision is that all women and children live free from domestic and family violence.

Today I sat down with local service providers and frontline workers to discuss the Second Action Plan for the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.

Family, domestic and sexual violence (FDSV) is a major health and welfare issue in Australia, occurring across all socioeconomic and demographic groups, but predominantly affecting women and children. It’s so important regional voices are included in this critical consultation.

22/07/2026

Here’s our smiling Steph with a recent delivery of backpacks from Backpacks 4 VIC Kids.

Each backpack is filled to the brim with age-appropriate clothing and essentials, along with a toy, a book, and something for the precious children and young people who come into our care.

While we keep a small supply of essentials on hand, it’s so special to be able to offer children something of their very own when they arrive.

Backpacks 4 Kids Victoria are always grateful for donations, so keep an eye on their socials if you’d like to support their wonderful work.

09/07/2026

This NAIDOC Family Day CASACV will be sharing a stall with CNV and Annie North for the Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative free family event celebrating NAIDOC Week.

Wednesday 8 July from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm
Bendigo Exhibition Centre, 42-72 Holmes Rd, North Bendigo

In 2026, the national NAIDOC theme is 50 Years of Deadly, recognising five decades of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strength, resilience, advocacy, culture and community-led change.

CASACV is pleased to be a sponsor of NAIDOC week celebrations. This year’s celebrations include the BDAC Flag Raising and Awards Ceremony, City of Greater Bendigo Flag Raising, BDAC Family Day, art exhibitions, educational workshops, Welcome Baby to Country, and other community celebrations.

Our sponsorship helps ensure these events remain accessible, inclusive and meaningful for Elders, families, young people, community members and visitors across Bendigo.

The NAIDOC calendar of events is available here https://public.bendigo.vic.gov.au/file/publications/865d7a21-bdc6-4030-9348-c8c6431a09a9/flyer-naidoc-week-2026.pdf?mc_cid=6b7ad075f9&mc_eid=35b6488a6c