Abuse Law: Support services for survivors

During times when articles about childhood abuse and assault are dominate in the news, it can be extremely challenging for our survivors. Regular and constant exposure to these issues can easily trigger memories connected with trauma, making it hard for our survivors to cope and manage their mental health.

Support is always readily available to survivors and family or friends of survivors.

If you are in immediate danger, call 000 for Police and Ambulance for help.

There are several services ready and available to assist you or a loved one, including:

  • 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) (https://www.1800respect.org.au/) This is a 24 hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
  • Bravehearts (1800 272 831) (https://bravehearts.org.au/) Bravehearts was founded in 1997 by Hetty Johnston AM, following her young daughter’s disclosure of sexual abuse. Bravehearts is an Australian child protection not for profit organisation, solely dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse. Bravehearts supports survivors and victims of child sexual abuse, and their non-offending family members, with accessible and affordable counselling, case management and advocacy.
  • Blue Knot Foundation (1300 657 380) (https://blueknot.org.au/) Blue Knot are the National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma. Blue Knot advocate for and provide support to people who have experiences of complex trauma, and those who support them, personally and professionally. Blue Knot provides counselling support to people who have experienced violence, abuse or neglect as a child, young person or adult. They also provide a range of online support services.
  • Lifeline (13 11 14) (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) This is a service that anyone across Australia who is experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide can call, or text on 0477 13 11 14 at night (6pm to midnight AEDT). Someone from Lifeline will help put you in contact with a crisis service in your state or territory in Australia.
  • Mensline Australia (1300 789 978) (https://mensline.org.au/) This is a service that supports men and boys who are dealing with family and relationship difficulties. This is a 24/7 telephone support line. There is also an online support and information service for Australian men.
  • Kids Helpline (1800 551 800) (https://kidshelpline.com.au/) Since 1991, Australia’s kids and young people have been turning to Kids Helpline’s professional, specialised counsellors, no matter who they are, where they live or what they want to talk about. This is a free, private and confidential telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25 in Australia.
  • beyondblue (1300 224 636) (https://www.beyondblue.org.au/) beyondblue provide information and support for anxiety, depression and suicide prevention for everyone in Australia. This service provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.

If you would like advice in relation to a childhood or adult sexual, physical and/or psychological/emotional abuse claim, please reach out to the author and Littles Lawyers today.

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