Specialist Organisations and Helplines
I understand that engaging with research related to sexual violence may be uncomfortable and overwhelming. Working together with the lived experience reference group, we have compiled a list of survivor-centric support resources that may help you during and after participating in this study.
National sexual violence services
1800RESPECT
Provides confidential sexual assault and family and domestic violence counselling via phone and web chat. Phone: 1800 737 732. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Full Stop Australia
Provides 24/7 telephone and face-to-face counselling for people impacted by institutional child sexual abuse. Phone: 1800 211 028. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
LGBTQI+ Violence Service
Provides 24/7 telephone trauma counselling to individuals impacted by violence targeted towards the LGBTIQ+ community. Phone: 1800 497 212. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Blue Knot Foundation
Provides phone and email-based support for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse. Phone: 1300 657 380. Available 9 am to 5 pm AEST, seven days a week.
New South Wales
NSW Rape Crisis Counselling Service
Provides 24/7 telephone and online trauma counselling for anyone in NSW whose life has been impacted by sexual violence. Phone: 1800 424 017. Available 9 am to 5 pm AEST, seven days a week.
NSW Health Sexual Assault Services
A directory of support services in New South Wales from the state government’s Prevention and Response to Violence Abuse and Neglect service.
Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN)
Group support for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse and their supporters living in NSW, or who were abused in NSW and live interstate or overseas. Phone: 1800 472 676. Available 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. Email: support@samnsn.org.au
Victoria
Centre Against Sexual Assault
CASA is the main organisation that helps manage 15 Centres Against Sexual Assault in Victoria and the after-hours Victorian Sexual Assault Crisis Line. Phone: 1800 806 292. Call their toll-free number to be connected with your nearest centre or for after-hours support. Available 9 am to 5pm. Email:ahcasa@thewomens.org.au
After Hours Sexual Assault Crisis Line (CASA)
A free, statewide, after-hours telephone crisis counselling service for people in Victoria who have experienced sexual assault/violence. Phone: 1800 806 292. Available 5 pm to 9 am on weekdays, and all day on weekends and public holidays.
Queensland
Sexual Assault Helpline
Provides phone-based support and counselling to any Queenslander who has, or thinks they may have, been sexually assaulted or abused. Phone: 1800 010 120. Available from 7.30 am to 11.30 pm, seven days a week.
Living Well
The Living Well app is specifically designed to assist men who have been sexually abused in childhood. They also provide face-to-face counselling in Brisbane, as well as telephone counselling to men throughout Queensland. Phone: (07) 3028 4648
Sexual Assault Services
A directory of local support services throughout Queensland from Queensland Health.
Western Australia
Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC) Emergency Help and Counselling
Provides emergency services and emergency crisis counselling services to people over 13 affected by sexual violence. Crisis services to people who have experienced a recent sexual assault (rape) in the last two weeks, and counselling for sexual assault / abuse experienced recently or in the past. Phone: (08) 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC)
Face-to-face support services for survivors of sexual abuse, assault or harassment. There is also crisis phone support available. Phone: (02) 6247 2525. Crisis phone support is available from 7 am to 11 pm, seven days a week. Text only: 0488 586 518
Service Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault (SAMSSA)
The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre’s specialised service for men over the age of 16 who have experienced sexual abuse, assault or harassment. Both face-to-face and phone counselling are available. Phone: (02) 6247 2525. Crisis phone support available from 7 am to 11 pm, seven days a week.
Northern Territory
NT Sexual Assault Referral Centres
A list of free sexual assault support clinics in the Northern Territory is provided within the territory’s public health system.
Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Darwin)
A centre based in Casuarina that provides both phone and face-to-face support and counselling services. Phone: (08) 8922 6472. Phone support is available 8 am to 4.30 pm Monday.
Sexual Assault Referral Centre and Counsellor (Alice Springs)
A centre based in Alice Springs that provides both phone and face-to-face support and counselling services. Phone: (08) 8952 6075 (from 8am to 4.21pm, Monday to Friday) After-hours line: 0401 114 181 Phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
South Australia
Uniting Communities
Counselling services for young people aged 12-25, and their families. Counselling service fees depend on how much income you earn, and if you earn less than $25,000 a year, it costs as little as $5 a session. Phone: (08) 8202 5060. Available 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays. Email: counselling@unitingcommunities.org
Yarrow Place
For people in South Australia who are aged 16 years and over at the time of the sexual assault. Yarrow Place provides many services, including a 24/7 crisis response service, professional counselling, and support groups. Phone: 1800 817 421 Email: info@yarrowplace.sa.gov.au
Tasmania
Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS)
Free and confidential support services for southern Tasmanian people of all ages affected by sexual violence. They also provide Redress Scheme Support Services across Tasmania. Phone: 1800 697 877. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week crisis supports. For all other enquiries: (03) 6231 0044
Laurel House Launceston
Provides face-to-face counselling to adults and children affected by sexual assault in the North and North West of Tasmania. They provide a 24/7 support hotline, as well as free counselling, training and education. Phone: 1800 697 877. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Translation services and help for people with disabilities
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)
For callers who require a translating or interpreting service. Phone: 13 14 50 and ask them to contact the phone number of the service you want to get in touch with.
National Relay Service
For callers who are d/Deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech impairment. Phone 133 677 and ask them to contact the number of the service you want to connect with.
Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay)
Phone 1300 555 727 and ask them to contact the number of the service you want to connect with.
