Helpful Websites
The following websites and information is for Australia where I live, but if you are in another country you will be able to find similar organizations to help you. The best place to start is your Police Station. Most Police are well equipped with brochures and practical advice on what to do next and where to go. Don’t forget they are there to protect you as well, so please don’t hesitate to tell them if you are worried at all about repercussions from your abuser.
A really good website I found is www.wdvcs.org.au It has excellent information and links to further helpful websites. The following services are from this site.
Women's
Domestic Violence Crisis Service of Victoria (24
hour crisis support)
Crisis telephone support,
information about options and developing a safety plan, referral to
safe accommodation (refuge) for women experiencing abuse in their
relationships - see http://www.wdvcs.org.au/
24 hours. Ph. 9322-3555, or country toll free : Ph.
1800 015 188.
Centre
Against Sexual Assault (CASA)
Crisis support,
counselling, information for people who have been sexually assaulted
as adults or as children. There are Centres Against Sexual Assault in
regions across Victoria - see http://www.casa.org.au/
Ph.
1800 806292 (24 hours) for immediate support and to find your local
CASA.
Child
Protection Crisis Line
Contact this number to report
concerns of child sexual abuse. Toll free for all of Victoria (24
hours) Ph: 131-278. For more information on child protection see the
Department of Human Services Office for Children page - About
Child Abuse
Immigrant
Women’s Domestic Violence Service
For immigrant women
who are victims of domestic violence. Mon-Fri 9-5. Ph. 8413-6800
Website: www.iwdvs.org.au
Women's
Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE). Melbourne
Information, support and referral for women.
Phone service:
9am - 5pm Mon-Fri Ph. 1300-134-130. TTY: 13-36 77. Women's
Information Centre open: 210 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, 10:30am to 5pm
Monday to Friday. Website: www.wire.org.au
Gay
and Lesbian Switchboard.
Telephone counselling for
lesbians and gay men, referral to face to face counselling and other
services. Available 6-10pm each day, 2-10 pm Wednesday. Ph. (03)
9827.8544 (Melbourne Metropolitan) 1800.631.493 (country) Website:
www.vicnet.net.au/~glswitch/
Action
Centre
277 Flinders Lane Melbourne
General and sexual
assault counselling, referrals and medical services for young
people.
Ph. (03) 9654 4766 or country free call Ph. 1800 013 952.
Level 1, 94 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Website:
www.fpv.org.au/1_5_5.html
Domestic
Violence Resource Centre (Vic)
292 Wellington St
Collingwood 3066.
Information and referral to local services and
support groups. (Note: we do not provide counselling but can refer to
counselling services). Ph: (03) 9486-9866 9am - 5pm Mon-Fri. Email:
admin@dvrc.org.au
Website www.dvrc.org.au
Victorian Women With Disabilities Network (VWDN) in partnership with Women’s Health Victoria, has established the Advocacy Information Service (AIS). The AIS advocates on behalf of women with disabilities, and supports to assist advocacy work that addresses the needs of Victorian women with disabilities. VWDN is co-located with Women’s Health Victoria contact: 9662-3755 9am- 5pm Monday to Friday.
Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) is a peak organisation for women with all types of disabilities in Australia. It aims to increase awareness of, and address issues faced by, women with disabilities in the community. WWDA produces an Online Information & Referral Directory to help women with disabilities to find services and organisations that are available to assist them. Website : www.wwda.org.au
Domestic Violence Outreach Services.
These
services offer women and children who are enduring or escaping from a
violent partner practical support and information about safe
accommodation options, obtaining legal advice, accessing financial
entitlements, referrals to counselling and other services. Contact
times are usually are usually within business hours. Support workers
specifically for children may be available through your local
service.
Metropolitan Domestic Violence Outreach Services:
Eastern
Metro Region:
Ringwood Ph. 9870-5939
Northern
Metro Region:
Ph.9458-5788 (10am-4pm Mon-Fri)
Southern
region:
St Kilda or Moorabin Ph. 9536-7777
South
Eastern Region:
Frankston Ph. 9781-4658
Cranbourne Ph.
5990 6789
Springvale Ph. 9791-6111
Dandenong Ph.
9791-6111
Narre Warren Ph. 9703-0044
Western
Region:
Ph. 9689-9588
Rural / Regional Domestic Violence Outreach Services (Victoria)
Barwon
South West Region:
Geelong Ph. 5224-2903
Warrnambool Ph.
5561-1934
Hamilton Ph. 5571-1778 (Tues & Thurs)
Terang Ph.
5592-1172
Camperdown Ph. 5593-1370 (Wed)
Portland Ph. 5521 7937
(Mon & Wed)
Casterton Ph. 5581-2109
Gippsland
region:
Bairnsdale Ph. 5152-1863
Leongatha Ph. 5562-4502
(freecall 1800 221 200)
Warragul Ph. 5622-7000
Morwell Ph.
5120-2000
Grampians
region:
Horsham Ph. 5362-1200
Ballarat Ph.
5333-3666
Stawell Ph.5358-7400
Ararat Ph.5352-6200
Hume
region:
Shepparton Ph.5823-3200
Broadford
Ph.5784-5555
Wangaratta: Ph 5722-1100
Wodonga Ph.(02) 6022-8888
Loddon
Mallee region:
Mildura Ph.5021-2130
Bendigo
Ph.5443-4945
Swan Hill Ph.5033-1899
Women's
Legal Service Victoria
For women in Victoria who are in
need of legal advice, information or referral, irrespective of income
or assets.
Legal Advice Line: Ph. (03) 9642 0877 or 1800 133302
(Free call number for country callers). HOURS: Monday and Friday
mornings 10am – 1pm; Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6.30pm –
8.30pm; Wednesday afternoon 2pm – 5pm.
Men's
Referral Service
The Men's Referral Service is an
anonymous and confidential telephone service provided for men by men.
It provides a central point of contact for men who are wanting to
stop their violent or abusive behaviour towards their family members,
but are not sure how or where to go for advice. Many
women also call the Men's Referral Service seeking information and
help for their male partner, husband, relative or friend.
Ph.
9428 2899 or STD Freecall 1800 065 973
12 noon to 9:00pm Monday
to Friday. Website: www.ntv.net.au/ntv_two.htm
Indigenous
Family Violence Support Officers
For phone referrals to
specific regional indigenous family violence support officers,
contact the number below. This office can also assist with
information on Victorian
Indigenous Family Violence strategy (this
is a community led initiative to develop a government response to
family violence in Indigenous communities).
Contact
Janet Muir, Statewide Co-ordinator, Indigenous Family Violence
Strategy, Department of Human Services, Ph: 9616 8028.
Domestic
Violence Crisis Service
24hr telephone counselling,
support, access to safe accommodation.
Ph. (02) 6280-0900. TTY:
Ph. (02) 6247-0893 Website: www.dvcs.org.au
Canberra
Rape Crisis Centre
Sexual assault counselling (24 hr)
Ph. 6247-2525
Annodora
(Incest Centre)
Ph. (06) 249-6070
Women's
Legal Centre
Ph. 1800-634-669 Website:
www.womenslegalact.org
Family
Services (protection of children from abuse)
To discuss
concerns or to report abuse (02) 6207 1069 (North); or (02) 6207 1466
(Southern); After hours - weekend Ph. (02) 6207 0720. Website: on
www.dhcs.act.gov.au/
site.
Service
Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault (SAMSSA) Canberra
Provides
support, information and referral for men who have experienced sexual
assault.
Ph. 02 6262 7377; Email samssa@effect.net.au; Website:
www.samssa.org.au
Domestic
Violence Counselling Service
Darwin, 9-5 Mon-Fri Ph. (08)
8945-6200. Alice Springs Ph. (08) 8952 6048.
Crisis
Line
General and domestic violence crisis counselling
(24hr)
Ph. 1800 019 116
Sexual
Assault Referral Centre
Counselling, support,
information, & 24 hr crisis care for recent sexual assault.
Darwin: Ph. (08) 89 227 156 (24hr). For sexual assault services
in other areas of NT see website: www.nt.gov.au
(sarc services).
Women's
Information Centre
Referrals (Alice Springs) Ph. (08)
8951-5880
Dawn
House
Crisis accommodation and support services for women
with children escaping domestic violence.
(08) 8945 1388 (24 hrs).
Ruby
Gaea House
Sexual assault counselling service
Mon-Fri
8.30-5.
Ph. (08) 8945-0155
Family
& Children's Services (Child protection)
Your
nearest office can be contacted by using the free phone number Ph.
1800 700 250. Website info: on www.health.nt.gov.au
website.
Legal
Assistance.
Darwin Community Legal Service Ph. 08 8982
1111 Website: www.dcls.org.au
Domestic Violence Legal Help (Alice Springs)
Ph. (08) 8981
9726.
Domestic
Violence Telephone Service - DV Connect
Womensline
Ph. 1800 811 811 or TTY: 1800 812-225 1800 811
811 crisis counselling and safe refuge - 24 hours, 7 days a week.
www.dvconnect.org
DV
Connect Mensline
Ph. 1800 600 636 counselling, support,
information - 7am - midnight, 7 days a week.
Website:
www.dvconnect.org
Brisbane
Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (BDVAS)
Crisis support
and assistance. Ph (07) 3217 2544. Website:
www.dvrc.org.au/advocacy-service.html
Brisbane
Rape & Incest Survivors Support Centre
Ph. (07)
3391-0004 or country callers Ph. 1800 242526 Website:
www.brissc.com.au
Statewide
Sexual Assault Helpline
Ph. 1800-010 120 (24 hrs).
Website: on www.health.qld.gov.au
site.
Zig
Zag Young Women’s Resource
Brisbane, Mon-Fri 9-5. Ph.
(07) 3843-1823. Website: www.zigzag.org.au
Immigrant
Women’s Support Service
Support for immigrant or
refugee women victims of domestic violence, bilingual workers
Mon-Fri
9-5. Ph: (07) 3846-3490 (domestic violence) or (07) 3846 5400 (sexual
assault) Website: www.iwss.org.au
Child
Protection Crisis Care, Department of Child Safety
Ph. freecall: 1800-811-810 or the after hours service centre ph.
freecall 1800 177 135 or (07) 3235 9999. Website:
www.childsafety.qld.gov.au
Women's
Legal Service (legal advice)
Statewide Ph. (07) 3392-0670
or 1800-677-278
Domestic
Violence Helpline
Ph. 1800 800 098 (24 hours) . Counselling
for victims of domestic violence and their concerned friends.
Counselling for people who commit domestic violence. Website: on
www.ucwadel.org.au/domesticviolence/
Domestic
Violence Crisis Service
Crisis counselling, support,
referral to safe accommodation. Ph. 1300 782 200 (24 hours). After
hours Crisis Care ph. 131 611.
Crisis
Care
After hours crisis support (violence and abuse,
suicide, child protection etc). 4pm-9am plus weekends & public
hols. Ph. 131 611.
Yarrow
Place
Rape & sexual assault service (24 hr)
Ph.
(08) 8226-8777 or Toll Free: 1800-817-421 After Hours: (08)
8226-8787. Website: on www.wch.sa.gov.au
Women’s
Information Service of South Australia
Ph. (08) 8303-0590
or 1800 188 158. Website: www.wis.sa.gov.au
Women's
Legal Service
Ph. (08) 8221-5553 legal advice line.
Website: wlssa.org.au
Family
& Youth Services (Child Abuse Report line)
Ph. 131
478
Domestic
Violence Crisis Service
Mon-Fri 9am-Midnight, weekends
4pm-midnight.
Ph. (03) 6233 2529 or 1800
633 937 (North),
1800 608 122 (Statewide).
Sexual
Assault Support Services
Telephone and face to face
counselling
Hobart & Southern: Ph. (03) 6231 1811 (24hr -
after hours (03) 6231-1817). Website: www.sass.org.au.
Launceston: Ph. (03) 6334-2740. Nth West: Ph. (03) 6431 9711.
Women's
Legal Service
Free legal advice. Ph. 1800 682-468 or (03)
6224-0974
Child
Protection Advice & Referral Service -Child and Family Services
To report child abuse Ph. 1300-737-639
(statewide).
Ph. (03) 6230 7650 (Hobart) to report child abuse.
SHE
(Support, Help & Empowerment)
Telephone &
face-face counselling for women affected by abusive relationships.
Ph. (03) 6278-9090 (Hobart). Website: www.she.org.au
Yemaya:
Women's Support Service
Counselling & support for
women who have experienced abusive relationships (Launceston) Ph.
03-6334-0305.
For more services in Tasmania see website: www.women.tas.gov.au
Women's
Council for Domestic & Family Violence Services WA
Telephone
support, referral to safe accommodation
Admin: 9:30 – 2:30
Mon-Fri. Ph (08) 9420 7264
Website: www.womenscouncil.com.au
Women's
Domestic Violence Helpline
Information, referral and
telephone counselling. Ph. (08) 9223 1188 or 1800 007 339 (24 hours)
Men's
Domestic Violence Helpline
Information, referral and
telephone counselling. Ph. 9223 1199 or 1800 000 599 (24 hours)
Crisis
Care Unit
24hr crisis support (violence, child
protection, suicide, etc). Ph. (08) 9325-1111 or 1800 199-008. TTY:
(08) 9325-1232
Sexual
Assault & Referral Centre
Telephone and face to face
counselling, female doctors
24hrs. Ph. (08) 9340-1828 or 9340-1820
or country callers Ph. 1800 199-888
Women's
Multicultural Support and Advocacy
Outreach support for
immigrant women who are victims / survivors of domestic violence.
Ph.(08) 9325-7716
Women’s
Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services (WA).
A
state-wide peak organization Ph. (08) 9420 7264.
Child
Protection
Reports of child abuse can be reported to the
Department of Community Development during office hours - see website
http://community.wa.gov.au/
(child safety page). After hours contact should be made by contacting
Crisis Care on (08) 9223 1111 or 1800 199008 (freecall)
Women's
Law Centre (WA) Inc
Legal advice. Inglewood, Ph:
08 9272 8800 Freecall: 1800 625 122
For a list of family violence services in Western Australia see community.wa.gov.au/ (family violence area)
LifeLine
telephone counselling (general) Ph: 131 114. Website:
www.lifeline.org.au
Police
or Ambulance
Ph. 000 in an emergency for police or
ambulance.
Translating
and Interpreting Service
Phone to gain access to an
interpreter in your own language (free) Ph: 131-450 Website:
www.immi.gov.au/tis/
Kids
Help Line
Telephone counselling for children and young
people
Freecall: 1800 551 800. E-mail and web counselling
www.kidshelp.com.au
Australian
Childhood Foundation
Counselling for children and young
people affected by abuse Ph. 1800-176-453 or 9874 -3922. Website:
www.childhood.org.au
or www.stopchildabuse.com.au
Relationships
Australia
Support groups and counselling on
relationships, and for abusive and abused partners. Ph. 1300-364-277
or Vic (03) 9261-8700. Website: www.relationships.com.au