FAQs

1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) is free* and available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
Professionally qualified, specialist counsellors will provide counselling, information, and referrals to relevant local services.
*some call charges may apply if calling from a mobile phone.

1800RESPECT is free* and available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
*some call charges may apply if calling from a mobile phone.

Sexual assault, domestic and/or family violence take many different forms, and laws vary across Australian states and territories on what constitutes the crime of sexual assault and domestic violence, see the legal information section of this website.
For more specific information, support, or help determining what happened, please call 1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732.

1800RESPECT respects your privacy and contact with the service can initially be anonymous.

Please review the Terms of Service for 1800RESPECT Online counselling for detailed information regarding privacy and collection of information.

There are certain steps to take to ensure internet and telephone security, should there be ongoing danger of abuse. Please ask 1800RESPECT for more information either online or via telephone.

For adults affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence reporting to the police is their own decision. Where a child has or may be harmed mandatory reporting laws require that the authorities are advised. These laws are designed to protect children.

There are many services available, calling 1800RESPECT can be the first point of contact as the counsellors will be able to provide referral information specific to individual needs. See Services for more information.

Sexual assault is any behaviour of a sexual nature which is unwanted or occurs without consent. Sexual assault is an abuse of power which may or may not involve the use of physical force, threat or coercion. Sexual assault usually leaves the victim/survivor feeling humiliated, uncomfortable, violated, intimidated or frightened. Other commonly used terms for sexual assault are sexual violence, sexual abuse and rape.

For emergencies call the police on 000.
1800RESPECT counsellors are able to assist an individual to access support following sexual assault.

No. Anyone who is at risk of or has experienced sexual assault, domestic and/or family violence at any time in their life can contact 1800RESPECT for counselling and support.
Supporters or friends are also able to contact 1800RESPECT for assistance.

Domestic or family violence can include any behaviours used by one person to establish and maintain power and control over their partner or another person in his/her family, including:

• physical abuse
• sexual abuse
• emotional abuse
• verbal abuse
• social abuse
• economic or financial abuse, and
• spiritual abuse

Most people who are living in a domestic or family violence situation will contact services when thinking about escape and safety. 1800RESPECT counsellors understand that leaving an abuser is a long process and a very hard decision to make. The service will support people to make decisions about what is right for them.

People often forget the effect of family or domestic violence on children who witness or overhear it. The reality is that children are most times aware that there is violence in their home and feel powerless to stand up to it. They may feel frightened, unsafe or feel responsible to protect their parent and sometimes attempt to intervene when violence is happening.

Parents often think children do not know about the family /domestic violence but even if they are not telling their parents, they are generally aware of the violence and sometimes hear it when the parents think they can't.

Children will have a range of emotions/reactions and again it is important to encourage expression of these and be interested in what and why they are feeling like this. Children need to be assured that it is the adult's responsibility to protect them and not the other way around. Tell them the violence is not their fault. Help them make a safety plan.
http://www.dvrcv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/FVHurtsKidsToo.pdf

Many people will say that the other parent (the one using violence) is a "good parent" to those children. If children are witnessing or experiencing Domestic Violence in the home then this is not a sign of good or caring parenting. Each parent has a responsibility to practice respect of the other and model this behaviour for their children.

Showing attention or affection to children cannot make up for denying them (through the use of violence) their right to a safe and happy childhood. Think about the impact that it might have on the children and how they may conduct their own relationships as a young person or an adult.

For many children, the first step in managing their situation is merely having someone who recognises that they are involved and allows them to tell their story. For more information on this subject call 1800RESPECT

If you are worried about safety for a child or that they are being abused or harmed, contact 1800RESPECT for information and support about what can be done for children.

Most people who are affected by abusive and violent behaviour turn first to family and friends for support. Support and encouragement can assist them to feel stronger and more able to make decisions.

Supporters can seek advice from 1800RESPECT and other family and domestic violence support services, as to how best to assist a friend or family member.

In May 2008, the Government established an 11 member National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children. The Council's task was to provide advice on the development of an evidence-based National Plan. The Council, with the support of the Government, conducted significant research to assess the existing evidence, the operation of the legal system and the economic cost of violence against women.

The Council also consulted with more than 2,000 Australians – survivors of violence; perpetrators of violence; educators; service providers; people living in rural and remote areas; members of indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse communities; women with disabilities; members of the judiciary; representatives of the State and Territory Governments and members of the public.
The Council developed five documents that were formally presented to the Government on 29 April 2009:

1. Time for Action: The National Council's Plan for Australia to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, 2009-2021
2. A Snapshot to Time for Action
3. Background Paper to Time for Action
4. The Cost of Violence against Women and their Children
5. Domestic Violence Laws in Australia

Time for Action is an extensive report with findings that relate to the responsibilities of all governments and the community itself. Time for Action recommends that the Australian Government take leadership on a long-term plan to reduce violence against women. The report identifies six key outcome areas, and proposes strategies and actions in each area, and identifies 20 high-priority actions that require an urgent response.
In its initial response, the Government indicated it supports the overall direction of Time for Action and many of the recommended actions in the six outcome areas and announced a major funding program. The Australian Government is providing:

• $12.5 million for a new national telephone and online crisis service. The new service will be run by professional staff and make active referrals to follow up services. The new service will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• $26 million for primary prevention activities including $9 million to test and evaluate respectful relationships programs for high school age young people and an initial investment of $17 million for social marketing focused on changing attitudes and behaviours that contribute to violence.
• $3 million to support research on perpetrator treatment and the greater harmonisation of Federal and State/Territory laws.
• Leadership to establish a national scheme for the registration of domestic and family violence orders, improve the uptake of relevant coronial recommendations and identify the most effective methods to investigate and prosecute sexual assault cases. This work is being progressed through the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General.
• Funding for an expert advisory group (The Violence against Women Advisory Group) to provide advice on reforms to reduce violence against women.

The Prime Minister took the Council's report, Time for Action, to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to develop a national response. All State and Territory Governments have agreed to work towards a national approach.
A new COAG Ministerial Council, with representation from all States and Territories and across the broad range of areas covered in the Council's report has been established and has developed an agreed National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children for COAG that was released in February 2011.

The National Sexual Assault Domestic Family Violence Service commenced in October 2010.

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