Support services for domestic and family violence

Find information and contacts for assistance and help on a range of different services below. 

Domestic and family violence support and services

NSW Domestic Violence Line - 1800 656 463 
24-hour telephone counselling and referrals for accommodation, family support, hospitals and health centres or the police, legal services, court assistance schemes and explains what an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) is and how to apply for one.

1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732
24-hour telephone and online counselling and information.

Mensline Australia - 1300 78 99 78
24-hour support for men anytime, anywhere – particularly those concerned about their own violent behaviour.

Lifeline - 13 11 14
24-hour telephone crisis support.

Local support for women (Face-to-face support)

Leichhardt Women’s Community Health Centre - 9560 3011
Provides low-cost and affordable counselling, medical, allied and complementary health care and education to improve women's health. The centre also provides support at court, legal advice services and extensive referral information for local services.

Reporting suspected child abuse and neglect

Child Protection Helpline - 132 111 or (TTY 1800 212 936)
24-hour reporting line for anyone who suspects, on reasonable grounds, that a child or young person is at risk of being neglected or physically, sexually or emotionally abused.

Young people

Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
24-hour telephone and online counselling and support service for young people aged between 5 and 25 years.

eheadspace - 1800 650 890 
9am - 1am (7 days). eheadspace is a confidential, free and secure space where young people 12 - 25 or their family can chat, email or speak on the phone with a qualified youth professional.

Twenty10 - 1800 652 010
9am - 5pm (5 days). Specialised support for young people aged 12 – 26 years to obtain information, referrals, support, advocacy, counselling and accommodation.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) services

Another Closet 
A 2015 publication written for people in LGBTQI relationships who are, or may be, experiencing domestic and family violence. Download Another Closet from this link.

Safe Relationships Project, Inner City Legal Centre - 1800 244 481 
Court support, free legal advice and casework service for LGBTQI people experiencing or escaping domestic and family violence. The Safe Relationships Project has a Safe Room for LGBTQI victims of domestic and family violence at the Downing Centre in Sydney.

ACON - 1800 063 060 
ACON supports LGBTQI people who have experienced domestic or family violence through support and information sharing.

The Gender Centre and the Transgender Anti-Violence Project - 1800 069 115
Counselling, education, support, referrals and advocacy in relation to reporting violence such as domestic and family violence, sexual violence, anti- transgender harassment and hate crimes.

QLife Australia - 1800 184 527 
3pm - 12am every day. Phone support, counselling and referral service for LQBTQI people of all ages.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service Map
A detailed list of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services.

Wirringa Baiya - 9569 3847 or 1800 686 587
Support for women and children who are experiencing domestic and family violence or sexual assault

Health Info Net
Information about services for Indigenous Australians, including domestic and family violence and sexual assault services

Gunawirra - 9810 2312
Empowering young aboriginal parents with babies and young children to intervene in their own lives.

Women from migrant, refugee or CALD communities services

Immigrant Women’s Speakout - 9635 8022
Advice, referrals and assistance to immigrant women, including those who have experienced violence or abuse.

Legal services 

Women’s Legal Service - Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (DVAS) - 02 8745 6999 or 1800 810 784
Phone advice and appointments for women.

Marrickville Legal Centre – 02 9559 2899
Not-for-profit community legal centre assisting people in the Inner West.

Find a Community Legal Centre
Check the Community Legal Centres NSW directory for a list community legal services across NSW.

LawAccess - 1300 888 529 
Telephone information about legal issues including domestic and family violence

Women’s Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (WDVCAS) - 1300 888 529 (contact via LawAccess NSW)

Legal Aid Domestic Violence Practitioner Scheme - 1300 888 529 (contact LawAccess NSW)
Legal advice and legal aid for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence. 

Homelessness and accommodation

NSW Domestic Violence Line - 1800 656 463
For women and children seeking crisis accommodation.

Link2home - 1800 152 152 
24-hour information and referral service to specialist homelessness services, support services, temporary accommodation and other services in NSW.

The Girls Refuge - 9564 3638
Safe accommodation for girls aged 14-17 years and outreach support services for girls and families living in the community. Available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
www.girlsrefuge.org.au

Staying Home Leaving Violence
A support program available in many regions which assists people experiencing domestic and family violence to remain in their homes, supported by an AVO which excludes the abuser from residing there (exclusion order).

Translating services

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) - 131 450

TTY or Relay Service
24hr access for people who are deaf and hearing impaired.
For emergency TTY calls - 106
For emergency access via the internet
For non-emergency TTY calls - 133 677

Sexual assault services

Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia  (formerly NSW Rape Crisis Centre) - 1800 424 017
Telephone and online counselling services for anyone who has experienced or is at risk of sexual assault, domestic or family violence and their non-offending supporters. Available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week

NSW Health Sexual Assault Services

Other services

The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline - 1800 880 052
Telephone service for reporting cases of neglect and abuse of disabled members of the community. 
Monday - Friday 9:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday and Sunday 10:00am - 9:00pm
National Relay Service - 1800 555 677
Interpreter service - 131 450

NSW Elder Abuse Helpline - 1800 628 221
Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm 
Elder abuse is any act within a relationship of implied trust, which harms an older person. It includes financial, psychological, physical, verbal, sexual abuse, and neglect.

Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467
24-hour, nationwide service that provides telephone and online counselling to people 15 years and over who are suicidal, caring for someone who is suicidal, bereaved by suicide or supporting people affected by suicide.

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Page last updated: 15 Mar 2023