About Us

The purpose of Mercy Care is to provide crisis accommodation to women and their accompanying children who are victims of family violence during times when refuges are closed. Most family violence occurs during the hours of 5pm and 9am. Mercy Care, a safe house, fills this gap so that women and children no longer have to spend the night on the streets, in their car or in a police station.

Mercy Care, a work of the Sisters of Mercy, with the assistance of a team of staff and volunteers, provides free supported accommodation to women and their accompanying children who are victims of family violence and who are in need of safe, emergency overnight accommodation.

Mercy Care's focus is to provide:

• A safe and homely place for women and children escaping Family Violence.
• Accommodation and support.
• Crisis Intervention Strategies.
• Essential needs such as food, clothing and toiletries.
• Emotional support in a caring and non-judgmental environment.
• Information and assistance with exploring options, making choices and accessing services.

Mercy Care is unique in that it not only seeks to empower the women and children who use the service but also the women who volunteer their time, knowledge and experience. The service is open seven days/ six nights a week.

Crisis accommodation is often sought between the hours of 5 pm - 8 am daily, over weekends and public holidays. Mercy Care operates to fill the gaps in support services during these times. It receives referrals from the Women's Family Violence Crisis Service (WDVCS). Generally women and their accompanying children stay overnight or for the weekend and then move onto refuge.

Mercy Care is reliant on the generosity of donors and volunteers; it has occasionally received a small amount of government funding. The property is owned and administered by the Sisters of Mercy.

Currently based in the Western region of Melbourne, Mercy Care has accommodated more than eight thousand women and children over the past 20 years.