Domestic and sexual violence support services
If you have experienced domestic or family violence and/or sexual violence, you may wish to get help from a specialist organisation. These organisations can offer free and confidential advice and support, and can respond to your specific needs. You can reach out to them via telephone, text, online or in person.
Domestic/family violence or sexual violence support organisations can help you in different ways, including providing: advice and information about your options; help with safety planning; material support and resources (e.g., crisis payments etc); court and legal support; therapeutic support (e.g., counselling); and referrals to other services.
The links below provide lists of national, state or territory services that you can contact for support and assistance (please note that we have also included a list of some national, state and territory organisations below):
Stop it at the Start (provides a list of national, state and territory support services for people who have experienced domestic/family violence and/or sexual violence)
Sexual assault helplines (provides a list of national, state and territory support services for people who have experienced sexual violence)
Domestic violence helplines (provides a list of national, state and territory support services for people who have experienced domestic/family violence)
Specific support services are also available for people of diverse backgrounds and identities. These include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, migrants and refugees, people with disabilities, sex workers and LGBTIQA+ people.
Services Australia provides information on domestic or family violence in different languages (including audio resources).
If you’re a migrant on a visa, such as a partner visa, you have access to special provisions in law which can help you in a domestic or family violence situation. These are called "the Family Violence Provisions". If you're experiencing domestic or family violence, you can get help to leave the relationship and still be granted your permanent visa (for more information, click on the Australian Government Immigration & Citizenship site).
Information and support are also available to victims of human trafficking and other slavery offences.
Below is a list of a few free and confidential national, state and territory services around Australia.
National Services
1800 RESPECT National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service (1800 737 732)
National telephone and online counselling service for people who have experienced sexual assault, domestic or family violence. Provides confidential information, referrals, support and counselling.
Full Stop Australia (1800 385 578)
Nation-wide telephone or online counselling, as well as face-to-face counselling in various New South Wales locations.
Men's Referral Service (1300 766 491)
Family violence telephone counselling, information and referral service for men who want to take responsibility for their behaviour.
MensLine Australia (1300 78 99 78)
Support for men who are having relationship problems or who engage in or experience domestic or family violence.
The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline (1800 880 052)
Confidential service for reporting the abuse and neglect of people with a disability.
Lifeline (13 11 14)
Support for people going through a difficult time, including those who are thinking of suicide or those who have someone close who is thinking of suicide.
Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800)
Confidential counselling service for young people aged between 5-25 years.
Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline (1800 497 212)
Helpline for LGBTIQ+ people who have experienced sexual, domestic and/or family violence.
Australian Capital Territory
Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT (02 6280 0900)
Crisis intervention and counselling, family violence intervention program, education and information for the community.
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (02 6247 2525)
Crisis support, counselling advocacy and support programs for men and women.
New South Wales
Domestic Violence Line (1800 656 463)
Helpline for people who have experienced domestic violence, providing information, support and referrals to services.
Click here to find a list of different domestic/family violence support services in NSW.
NSW Sexual Violence Helpline (1800 424 017)
Telephone and online counselling for people whose have experienced sexual violence and abuse.
Click here to find a list of different sexual assault support services in NSW.
Victoria
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre (1800 015 188)
State-wide telephone and online specialist support service for anyone who is experiencing or afraid of family violence. Provides confidential information, counselling, safety planning, and crisis accommodation.
Click here to find a list of different domestic/family violence support services in Victoria.
Sexual Assault Crisis Line (1800 806 292)
After-hours, confidential, telephone crisis counselling service for people who are experiencing sexual assault or have experienced sexual assault in the past.
Click here to find a list of different sexual assault support services in Victoria.
Queensland
DV Connect (1800 811 811)
Free and confidential support for people who have experienced domestic or family violence.
Sexual Assault Helpline (1800 010 120)
Offers emotional support and referral to services for people who have experienced sexual assault or sexual abuse.
Northern Territory
Dawn House (08 8945 1388
Counselling Service for women who are currently experiencing or escaping domestic/family violence and women who have experienced domestic/family violence in the past.
Click here to find a list of different domestic/family violence or sexual violence support services in the NT.
Sexual Assault Referral Centres
Provides support to people who have experienced sexual assault.
Western Australia
Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline (1800 007 339 or 08 9223 1188)
Provides support for women who are experiencing family/domestic violence.
Men's Domestic Violence Helpline (1800 000 599 or 08 9223 1199)
Provides telephone information and referrals for men who are concerned about their violent and abusive behaviours, and for male victims of family/domestic violence.
Sexual Assault Resource Centre (08 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888)
Free services for people affected by sexual violence.
Click here to find a list of different domestic/family violence and sexual assault support services in WA.
Tasmania
Family Violence Counselling and Support Service (1800 608 122)
Offers professional and specialised services for all people affected by family/domestic violence.
Sexual Assault Support Service (1800 697 877)
Free and confidential support service for southern Tasmanian people of all ages who have been affected by sexual violence.
Laurel House (03 6334 2740 or 03 6431 9711 or 1800 697 877)
Confidential services for North, North-East and North-West Tasmanians who have experienced sexual assault.
South Australia
Domestic Violence Crisis Service Line (1800 800 098)
Crisis counselling, support and referral to safe accommodation.
Yarrow Place Rape and Sexual Assault Service (1800 817 421)
Provides free and confidential service for people aged 16 years and over at the time of the sexual assault.