On this page, we talk about support for
Violence and abuse is when someone:
- hurts you
- scares you
- controls you.
There are many types of support you can use if you experience violence or abuse in Australia.
Support for violence and abuse can help you:
- understand your experience
- stay safe and find help
- share your story.
Triple Zero
If you or someone you know is in danger, call Triple Zero.
000
You might feel scared or nervous to call Triple Zero.
This is normal.
We have a section on this website about how to call Triple Zero.
You can find out more on our page about a guide to call Triple Zero.
After violence or abuse
It is normal to feel a lot of stress after you experience violence or abuse.
But you have the to feel safe.
Rights are rules about how people must treat you:
- fairly
- equally.
You do not have to do it all by yourself.
There are many types of support to help you the way you need, like
Counselling is when you work with someone to explore about how you think and feel.
This can help you:
- reach goals
- feel safe
- learn skills
- understand what happened to you.
Some services can also help you find out what support you need.
You can find out more on our page about counselling.
Support and counselling
You can contact Lifeline for support and counselling if you experience:
- stress
-
Depression can be a serious mental health problem.
If you have depression, you feel very bad most of the time.
Lifeline can also support you if you think ending your own life.
You can send them a text message.
0477 131 114
You can contact Safe Steps for support if you are a person with disability who experiences
Domestic and family violence is when someone close to you hurts you, such as:
- your partner, like your boyfriend or girlfriend
- a member of your family
- someone who takes care of you
- someone you live with.
You can call them.
1800 015 188
You can email them.
You can visit the Safe Steps website for more information.
You can contact 1800RESPECT for support and counselling.
You can send them a text message.
0458 737 732
If you send them a text message, you can just send the word ‘HELLO’.
You can call a helpline.
Helplines are phone numbers that will connect you to people who:
- care about what you are going through
- can give you good advice.
We have a list of helplines on our website.
You can find out more on our page about helplines.
Support to communicate
You can call the National Relay Service if you:
- are deaf or hard of hearing
- find it hard to speak using the phone.
TTY (Type and Listen)
1800 555 677
Speak and listen
1300 555 727
You can ask the National Relay Service to connect you to a helpline.
If you need support in a language other than English, you can call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS).
131 450
You can ask TIS to connect you to any helpline you choose.
You can find out more on our page about a guide to call helplines.
Apps and websites that can help keep you safe
There are apps and websites that provide information about:
- how you can stay safe
- services that can keep you safe.
You can download the Sunny app if you are a person with disability who experiences violence and abuse.
You can visit the Sunny website to find out more.
You can find out more about the law on the Girls Gotta Know website.
This includes information about the law in each state and territory.
For example, how the law can protect you:
- where you live
- where you work
-
in a
like with a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Your relationship with someone is how you are connected to them.
You can find out more on our page about apps that can help keep you safe.
Other services and programs that can support you
There are programs that can support you with:
- money
- the law
- somewhere safe to stay.
Support for money
You can use the Safer in the Home program if you experience domestic and family violence.
Safer in the Home is a program that can support you to:
- take control of your money
- be safe in the community.
You can find out more about the Safer in the Home program on the Salvation Army website.
Some state and territory governments give support to families who experience domestic and family violence.
On the internet you can search for:
- financial help for domestic and family violence
- the name of your state or territory.
We also have advice about how to control your own money.
You can find out more on our page about managing your own money.
Support for the law
You can get support to understand the
The justice system includes:
- prisons
- the courts
- police
- the law.
You can find out more on our page about understanding the justice system.
The law can support and protect you.
You can find out more on our page about legal help after experiencing violence or abuse.
You can talk to an if you want support to have your say.
An advocate is someone who can:
- support people with disability
- help people with disability have their say
- give information and advice.
You can find out more on our page about standing up for yourself.
Support for somewhere safe to stay
You can get support if you need somewhere safe to stay.
You can use the internet to find out more about safe places you can stay near you.
On the internet you can search for:
- domestic and family violence support
- where you live.
