TO create a solution, the community needs to know the problem.

Service groups in Swan Hill are hoping to take the community with them in their quest to raise at least $3 million to build an emergency housing facility for family violence victim-survivors.

Swan Hill Rotary, Swan Hill Lions Club, Swan Hill Sunrise Rotary, Inner Wheel, Swan Hill Business and Professional Women (BPW) and the Mallee Domestic Violence Service comprise the Northern Victoria Domestic Violence Housing Group, who have created the Safe Shelter from Domestic Violence Project.

Chairman Arthur Graham said the scourge shouldn't be in society.

“But it is, and we just need to do something about it – when we think of our region, the size of it and the lack of housing,” he said.

“It’s something I’ve been aware of in my work with Rotary for a long time and at least with this emergency housing, we can get something started.”

The emergency crisis housing would be able to provide accommodation for multiple individuals and families, and would be for those residing in the Swan Hill, Gannawarra and Buloke council areas.

In Swan Hill, domestic violence incidents occur at a rate of 3.332 per 100,000 population and the local government area ranked highest for this kind of violence out of 79 in Victoria.

Mr Graham said the State Government had built domestic violence refuge homes in Bendigo and Mildura, but the distance away from routine meant it was unsustainable.

"We only have the one shelter in Swan Hill, so we are hoping to raise enough funds to build three to four options here and two to three in Kerang," he said.

"If you put victims in motels, perpetrators know where to find them. If you have a young mother with three kids, there is no security.

"Secondly, there is only one room, and they are housed for up to four nights.

"Taking them to a regional city means you are taking them away from their environment, networks, family, friends and schools."

More details and a link to donate can be found at www.safeshelternv.org.au