Family and domestic violence support
If you or someone you know are unsafe right now, please call 000
There are ways we can support you.
We have a specialist Customer Care team dedicated to supporting customers who are vulnerable to or impacted by family violence.
We know it can be difficult to talk about, so you'll only have to explain your situation once, and we promise you that your safety and privacy will always be respected. The information you provide won't be shared with anyone else on the account.
Where we can help :
- Additional security on your account.
- Protection from debt recovery.
- Setting up a payment plan you can manage.
- Helping you apply for government grants you may be entitled to like the Utility Relief Grant Scheme.
- Offering plumbing support.
For more ways we can help, please see our Domestic and Family Violence Policy or for more financial assistance options, visit our Help and support page.
How to get in touch
You can connect with our Customer Care team directly on 03 9552 3540 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm.) for a confidential chat or email customercare@sew.com.au
 For an interpreter call 03 9209 0130 |
What happens when you call
- A member of our Customer Care team will ask you a couple of questions about yourself and your needs.
- They will let you know what types of support we may be able to offer.
- If for any reason you can’t complete the call, you can email us and we'll call you back at a date and time that suits you.
What is family and domestic violence?
Family and domestic violence is when someone is controlling or hurting you. There are lots of ways that someone can use abusive behaviour towards you such as:
- Financial abuse when it comes to your water bill. Financial abuse can mean someone is stopping you from using your money or doing things to make your bill higher or harder to pay.
- Emotional abuse such as insulting you yelling, swearing or making threats and frightening you.
- Physical abuse such as pushing, shoving, kicking, slapping or threatening to do those things to you.
Anyone can experience domestic and family violence or abuse.
Support beyond your bill
South East Water can refer you to specialist family violence services who provide confidential counselling information and support.
Some of these include:
1800 Respect |
Confidential information, counselling and support service |
|
Safe Steps |
Crisis support and referral to safe accommodation | |
Djirra |
Support for Aboriginal women and their children |
|
Intouch |
Support for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds |
|
QLife |
LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral |
|
Senior Rights Victoria |
Support and advice to help prevent elder abuse |
|
Sexual Assault Crisis Line |
Confidential counselling service | |
Men’s Referral service |
Support and referral for men | |
WAYYS |
Support for people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness | |
Family Violence Law Help |
Information service regarding family violence and the law in Australia | |
Beyond Blue |
Support to people affected by depression, anxiety and suicide | |
Kids Help Line |
Phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25 | |
Lifeline |
Suicide prevention crisis support services | |
Orange Door |
Local support and safety hub for families | |
Financial Counselling Victoria |
Support and advocacy for people in financial difficulty | |
Queerlife |
LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing support service | |
Uniting Vic.Tas |
Escaping violence payment program | |
Elizabeth Morgan House Aboriginal Womens’s Service |
Upholding the rights of Aboriginal women against gender and racially based violence |
Financial assistance
If you need some help with your bill, but not the extra support and protection you get when you let us know about your situation, there are a number of options available through our financial assistance page.
Visit our help and support page for more information.