Support Services
There are many different helplines or help centres near you if you require them. If you feel unsafe and feel you or your children may be in immediate danger call 000 now. You, and your children's safety is important.
For help, you can call any of the helplines below.
National Helplines
24 hour, National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line
for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
P 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Lifeline
has a national number who can help put you in contact with a crisis service in your State (24 hours)
P 131 114
Police or Ambulance
P 000 in an emergency for police or ambulance.
Translating and Interpreting Service Phone to gain access to an interpreter in your own language (free)
P 1800 131 450
Mensline Australia
Supports men and boys who are dealing with family and relationship difficulties
P 1300 78 99 78
Kids Help Line
Telephone counselling for children and young people
Freecall 1800 551 800
E-mail and web counse
https://kidshelpline.com.au/
Relationships Australia
Support groups and counselling on relationships, and for abusive and abused partners.
P 1300-364-277 or
P 03 9261-8700 (Victoria) www.relationships.com.au
QLife
Peer counselling for people from LGBT backgrounds including DV. 3pm-Midnight 7 days.
P 1800 184 527 https://qlife.org.au/
1800 RESPECT – National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line
For any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault
Freecall 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
24/7
Police or Ambulance
In an emergency for Police or Ambulance
Freecall 000
24/7
TIS National – Translating and Interpreting Service
Translating and Interpreting Service to gain access to an interpreter in your own language
Freecall 131 450
24/7
Kids Help Line
Telephone counselling for children and young people
Freecall 1800 551 800
24/7
Relationships Australia
Support groups and counselling on relationships, and for abusive and abused partners
P 1300 364 277
Mensline Australia
Supports men and boys who are dealing with family and relationship difficulties
P 1300 78 99 78
ASCA - Adults Surviving Child Abuse
A service to adult survivors, their friends and family and the health care professionals who support them
P 1300 657 380
National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline
An Australia-wide telephone hotline for reporting abuse and neglect of people with disability
Freecall 1800 880 052
Lifeline
A national number who can help put you in contact with a crisis service in your State
P 131 114
24/7
Another Closet
Online resource with information and referral details on LGBTIQ domestic and family violence.
These organisations help support, refer and save lives. They are there to help.
Domestic Violence Crisis Service
A support service for all people affected by domestic/family violence. This includes people who are subjected to violence and abuse and people who use violence and abuse.
P (02) 6280 0900
24/7
Rape Crisis Centre
A support service providing crisis lines, counselling and advocacy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities support, & community education programs
P (02) 6247 2525
EveryMan Australia
A support service for men who have issues with violence and abusive behaviour in their lives - as perpetrators, as victims, sometimes as both
P (02) 6230 6999
Victim Support ACT
A support service for victims or someone close to a victim of a crime.
Freecall 1800 8222 72
Domestic Violence Line
Telephone service that support and help women and men experiencing domestic or family violence
Freecall 1800 65 64 63
Freecall 1800 671 442 TTY (Hearing impaired)
24/7
Rape Crisis Service
Telephone support and counselling to anyone – women, men and young people – who has been sexually assaulted or abused
P 1800 424 017
24/7
Interrelate Family Centres
Support groups and counselling to strengthen the relationships in your life – with yourself, your family, your children and during transitions such as becoming a parent, grandparent, separation, divorce and forming a stepfamily
P 1300 736 966
Men’s Referral Service
Provides information, support and referral to services for men who are violent or abusive in the home and want to change their behaviour
P 1300 766 491
Gender Centre
Services for people with gender issues, their partners, family members and friends
P (02) 9569 2366
Domestic Violence Crisis Line
General and domestic violence crisis counselling and support
Freecall 1800 019 116
24/7
SARC - Sexual Assault Referral Centre
Counselling to both adults and children who may have experienced (recently or many years ago) any form of sexual assault
P (08) 8922 6472
DVConnect Womensline
Telephone service that support and help women experiencing domestic or family violence
Freecall 1800 811 811
24/7
DVConnect Mensline
Confidential telephone counselling, referral and support service established just for men
Freecall 1800 600 636
9am-Midnight
Statewide Sexual Assault Helpline
Telephone support and counselling to anyone – women, men and young people – who has been sexually assaulted or abused
Freecall 1800 010 120
QLD DV WebLink
A directory of QLD domestic violence support services
Pets in Crisis
A foster care program to help facilitate safe refuge for animals at risk until they can be reunited with their families
Freecall 1800 811 811
Domestic Violence and Aboriginal Family Violence Gateway Service
Facilitating access for you and your children to a safe place and counselling services over the phone
Freecall 1800 800 098
24/7
Yarrow Place Sexual Assault Service
Lead public health agency responding to rape and sexual assault in South Australia.
Freecall 1800 817 421
24/7
Family Violence Counselling and Support Service
Telephone service that offers specialised services to assist children, young people and adults affected by family violence
Freecall 1800 608 122
Family Violence Response & Referral
Offers an information and referral service by which callers are able to access the full range of response, counselling, information and other support services
Freecall 1800 633 937
24/7
Sexual Assault Support Service
Provide support and information services to survivors of sexual assault in Southern Tasmania, their carers and support people, professionals, and the general public
P (03) 6231 1817
Men’s Line Australia
Supports men and boys who are dealing with family and relationship difficulties
P 1300 78 99 78
Men’s Referral Service
Provides information, support and referral to services for men who are violent or abusive in the home and want to change their behaviour
P 1300 766 491
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre
Provides information, support and access to safe accommodation/refuge for women and their children
Freecall 1800 015 188
24/7
Sexual Assault Crisis Line
Statewide, after-hours, confidential, telephone crisis counselling service for victim/survivors of both past and recent sexual assault
Freecall 1800 806 292
From 5am-9am weekdays and Sundays and Public Holidays
Men’s Referral Service
Provides information, support and referral to services for men who are violent or abusive in the home and want to change their behaviour
P 1300 766 491
Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline
Provides support and counselling for women experiencing family and domestic violence including phone counselling, information and advice, referral to local advocacy and support services
Freecall 1800 007 339
24/7
Crisis Care
Telephone information and counselling service for people in crisis needing urgent help
Freecall 1800 199 008
24/7
Sexual Assault Res. Centre
Provides services to people, male or female, aged 13 years and over who have been sexually assaulted or sexually abused
Freecall 1800 199 888
24/7
Men’s Domestic Violence Helpline
Provides counselling for men who are concerned about their violent and abusive behaviours including telephone counselling, face to face services, legal advice, accommodation and other support services
Freecall 1800 000 599
24/7
How Can You Help Others?
Approaching friends and family who might be in an abusive relationship can be daunting. However, it is something that could help them change their lives. Knowing that they have the loving support of their friends and family outside of the relationship could make a world of difference.
The trouble that some friends or family of potential DFV victims have initially is a doubt on what is is DFV and what is not. After all, every couple has arguments and disagreements, that is a natural part of a healthy relationship. In any respectful relationship, both partners feel free to have their own opinions, make their own decisions, and are free to say no to sex.
On the other hand, in an abusive relationship, one partner controls the other through fear. This fear could be incited through physical harm, manipulation, criticisms, demands, threats or sexual pressure.
While it may seem like a "private matter", it is a good idea to let your friend or family member know that they have support outside of the relationship. This may be all they need to seek help.
Signs That They May Be Affected by Domestic and Family Violence
- They may appear frightened or anxious
- They seem to be frightened or anxious when their partner is around
- They have begun to change their behaviour
- Their children have changed their behaviour
- They seem to need to constantly keep the peace when around their partner
- Their partner is overly possessive or jealous
- Their partner has control over all aspects of their life, eg. finances, work, social life, friends.
- They have injuries or bruises that do not match their reasoning
- They are often "unwell" or having "silly accidents"
- They miss work or cancel social arrangments at short notices or with vague excuses.
- Their children seem to be fearful or on edge in the company of their abuser or whenever the abuser's name is mentioned.