Contacting 1800RESPECT Frequently Asked Questions

Everyone’s needs are different, and our counsellors are here to support you. 

1800RESPECT can be contacted by: 

• Call
• Text
• Online chat
• Video call 

Before you connect with 1800RESPECT, you will need to consider your safety. Learn more about how you can remain safe on your channel of choice when contacting 1800RESPECT.  

When making a decision about which service channel to use: 

• Think about what makes you feel most comfortable: Some people like the discreet nature of texting. Others prefer speaking directly on the phone or in person.  

• Consider how complicated your situation is: If you want to talk more in-depth about your situation, talking on the phone or doing a video call might be better. For simpler things, chatting online or texting could be more appropriate.  

• Think about your specific needs: Some ways of communicating might be better if you don't speak English or have trouble seeing or hearing. Check our website for more about this.  

• Also, think about what you like best: Do you prefer writing things down or talking them out? 

Your call, text, online chat or video call will be answered by someone who: 

• Understands domestic, family and sexual violence 

• Knows how hard it can be to talk about it 

• Listens and believes you 

• Understands that everyone’s situation is different and that no one knows your situation better than you 

• Can talk through options and help you decide what information, people or services will be most helpful for you. 

Key Resources: 

• Learn more about which 1800RESPECT service channel is best for you with this helpful guide. 

• Read an accessible Word version of the guide here.

Video call is one way to contact 1800RESPECT.  

Video call is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, no appointment needed.   

• To contact 1800RESPECT via video call, click on the ‘Video Call’ button on the bottom of the 1800RESPECT website. 

You will be asked to respond to some safety questions and important information prior to connecting with a counsellor. 

Key Resources: 

• Learn more about protecting your safety using 1800RESPECT video call with this helpful guide.
• Read an accessible Word version of the guide here.
• Watch this video to understand what to expect when you video call 1800RESPECT 

> How can I protect my privacy and safety when using 1800RESPECT video call? 

Consider your environment and consider if your device is safe. Contact the service when it is safe to do so. 

After you use the video call service, please clear your browser history. Please remember to delete the verification text from your device. 

If you are worried someone is tracking you or you do not know how to clear your browser history, you can call 1800RESPECT for guidance.  

Learn more about keeping your device safe here. 

> What technology do I need to use video call? 

To use the 1800RESPECT video call service, you will need a mobile device, tablet or computer with a reliable internet connection, microphone, speakers, camera and supported browser and operating system.  

> Can I use a translator or interpreter for video call? 

• 1800RESPECT can arrange for an interpreter from the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) to join the video call via audio only.
• Anyone who is d/Deaf or finds it hard to hear or speak to hearing people on the phone, can contact 1800RESPECT via the National Relay Service (NRS). While the NRS has a Video Relay service, please note that it cannot be used in tandem with 1800RESPECT’s video call service. Third parties can only join 1800RESPECT’s video call service via audio only. 

More information here: Accessibility | 1800RESPECT 

> Do I need to have access to a mobile phone to use 1800RESPECT’s video call service? 

Yes, we send a verification text to your mobile phone in order to connect you with a counsellor. You should delete the verification text once your code has been used if you’re worried about someone finding out you contacted 1800RESPECT. If you do not have a mobile phone to receive this text message, please consider contacting us via call or online chat. 

SMS is one way to contact 1800RESPECT. You can also contact 1800RESPECT via call and online chat. To contact 1800RESPECT via SMS, Text ‘HELLO’ or a greeting to 0458737732. You will be asked a few questions, including your preferred name. You do not have to tell us your name if you don't want to or you can provide a fake name.

• Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement will be shared with you. Once accepted, you will be connected with a counsellor.
• You can stop the conversation by texting STOP or X at anytime.

> Key Resources:

• Learn more about protecting your safety using text message through this helpful guide.

• Read an accessible Word version of the guide here

• Watch this video to understand what to expect when you text 1800RESPECT

> How can I protect my privacy and safety when texting?

• There are a number of different things you can do to protect your privacy and safety when using SMS. We recommend deleting your text message history from all devices after your conversation ends to make sure cloud services have not backed up your text messages.
• You can also help protect your safety and privacy by switching off ‘mirroring’ on your devices. Mirroring a device shows what’s on your screen on another device. We recommend you check your device settings and make sure that no one else has access to your accounts.

> Do I need internet access to send a text?

• To text 1800RESPECT you only need mobile network coverage. You do not need to use the internet to text 1800RESPECT.

> Can I use text to speech on my device?

• Yes, you can enable text-message-to-speech on your devices. These features are designed to read out text messages or other content on your device’s screen. Search online for information on how to do this, as it will vary depending on the device.

> Can I text a 1800RESPECT counsellor in other languages?

• Currently, texting 1800RESPECT is only available in English. Anyone requiring a translator can use the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) to speak to a counsellor at 1800RESPECT via telephone.
• There are some devices that provide text to text translation. Each device is different, so please find information relevant to your device online.

More information here: Accessibility | 1800RESPECT

The 1800RESPECT numbers (1800 737 732 and 0458 737 732) may appear on your phone bill. This means that anyone who can see your phone bill may be able to see that a call or text was made to our number.

Most network providers will hide the number, meaning that it does not appear on the phone bill. However, unless you have confirmed with your network provider that they exclude 1800RESPECT from your itemised phone bill, you should assume that the number will appear on your bill and to call from a different phone, if possible.

If there is any concern that a person using violence may have access to your phone, you should ensure that you delete your call/text message history on your device.

If you are not satisfied or have concerns with the service you received from 1800RESPECT during a call, text, online chat or video call, you can lodge a complaint via our website. 

We take complaints very seriously and recognise that any feedback contributes to the ongoing improvement of our service. When we receive your complaint details, with the date and time of contact with the counsellor, we will conduct a thorough investigation. If the issue is complex, we may require longer and will advise you if this is the case. For more information, visit our complaints page. 

1800RESPECT reviews complaints to understand what led to your experience with the service. This involves checking case records, call recordings, texts, online chat and video call recordings, talking to you and our counsellors, and evaluating how well our service matches our practices and delivery model. 

We will make every attempt to locate the records of your contact with what information you can provide us. If we are unable to find the specific instance of support, or if it was requested that the content of the support we provided was not recorded, this may impact how much feedback we are able to provide. We encourage you to provide as much detail as possible to support us looking into your complaint.  

If you are not satisfied with our response to your complaint, as 1800RESPECT is funded by the Commonwealth Government through the Department of Social Services, you may lodge a complaint with the Department of Social Services. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department of Social Services, you can lodge a complaint through the Commonwealth Ombudsman.  

We will keep copies of complaints correspondence and discussions as required by legislation. 

It is free to call us from a landline, payphone and most mobile phones. However, some mobile phone companies do charge for these calls, so you will need to check with your company.

Text messages will be charged at standard rates based on your contract/arrangement with your network provider. Please check with your network provider.  

Yes. You might be a worried friend or family member, or a worker supporting someone. We can talk to you about some of the things you can do to help. We can also answer questions and put you in touch with other support services.

All children have a right to live a life free from violence. In every state and territory certain people are required by law to report violence, abuse or neglect against people under 18 years old. For more information on mandatory reporting requirements for child abuse and neglect (including sexual abuse) see the Australian Institute of Family Studies Mandatory Reporting Resource Sheet.

To find out more about the affects of violence and abuse on children and how you can provide support, see our Children and violence pages.

1800RESPECT is a service that supports everyone impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence, including men. 1800RESPECT counsellors will work with men to understand their situation and will provide options for them to access further support. This may be access to specialist trauma counselling or to other support services, specifically for men and boys dealing with violence.

All violence is wrong. It is a violation of human rights and impacts negatively on a person’s physical, emotional and social wellbeing. While research shows that most people experiencing sexual assault and domestic and family violence are women and girls, men and boys can also be impacted. They can be experiencing violence themselves or be impacted by the violence being perpetrated on a loved one, for example, their sister, mother, brother or friend.

If you would like to access your call records for legal purposes, you can request these by contacting the Privacy Team.

While we may be able to provide you with some information about your contact with our services, please note that in order to protect the privacy of our service users and counsellors, recordings of chats or calls cannot be released without a Subpoena/Search Warrant/Court Order.

You can submit an enquiry via Contact Us to request your call records or for more information about the process of accessing your records.

Very infrequently, we receive subpoenas requesting us to produce personal information for use in civil or criminal court proceedings.  By law, we must comply with the request unless the court or party who issued the subpoena can be persuaded to set it aside. All subpoenas must be directed to General Counsel of 1800RESPECT, at [email protected].

We will take reasonable steps to contact you if we receive a subpoena requiring disclosure of your personal information.  If we know that you are concerned about the request, or if we believe that disclosure might cause you further harm or distress, we will use our reasonable endeavours to object to the disclosure of the documents or inspection of the documents by a/any parties to the proceedings, on whatever legal grounds may be available to us.

(In this situation, you may also wish to obtain your own independent legal advice.  If you have a personal right or privilege that is affected by information relevant to the subpoena, you may be entitled to lodge a notice of objection, an application to set aside or an objection to inspection of the documents requested under the subpoena).

We generally cannot produce information provided anonymously or under a pseudonym in response to a subpoena. 

We will not give your information to anyone else unless:

• You have given permission for us to do so
• You or someone else is in immediate danger
• We are required to do so by law – for example, to comply with mandatory reporting requirements in relation to suspected cases of child abuse and neglect, or in response to a subpoena.

We are committed to protecting your privacy. We may keep a record of your name (or the name you wish to use), as well as other information that will help us support you.

You always have the option to use a pseudonym (fake name) if you prefer.

Your information is used to help us improve the Service and provide tailored support.

If you have consented to your call being recorded, we will keep a copy of the call recording. If you have contacted us via the online chat or text message, we will keep a record of the interaction. We use call, text and online chat records to improve our service, and access to them is controlled. The number you used to contact the service via text message will also be retained.

Your information may be shared on a confidential basis between Telstra Health, the Department of Social Services and those contractors and network providers who have been engaged by Telstra Health or the Department of Social Services to provide you with the service.  

Counsellors store your information in a secure record system. This helps us to maintain a record of your interactions with the service. It also means you do not have to repeat your story every time you contact us. For more information, see our Privacy statement.

Yes. We do this to help manage and improve our service. 

If you do not wish for your interaction to be recorded, please call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 to speak to a counsellor. When you call, tell them you do not want the call recorded. 

Please note that to protect the privacy of our service users and counsellors, recordings cannot be released without a Subpoena/Search Warrant/Court Order. For more information, see our Privacy statement. 

Normally, yes. We do this to help us to improve our service. If you don’t want your call to be recorded, you can tell the counsellor who answers your call. You can also choose to remain anonymous or to use a pseudonym (fake name) when you call. 

Please note that in order to protect the privacy of our service users and counsellors these recordings cannot be released without a Subpoena/Search Warrant/Court Order.

We ask questions that help us get you the right support and information. You don’t have to answer any of the questions if you don’t want to.

 The sort of information we might ask about is:

• Your gender (whether you are male, female, intersex, etc.)
• Your name. However, you don't have to give your real name. You can choose a different name you would like to use.
• Your age
• The state or territory you live in and your postcode
• How safe you think you might be at the moment
• The kind of violence that has happened to you or you are experiencing
• What you think you might need at the moment to help you
• What support you might have to assist you
• If you’re worried about anyone else (for example, your children or others)
• Whether you have specific needs (for example, because of a disability or having trouble understanding English)

No. You don’t have to give your name or any other identifying information. You can use a pseudonym (fake name) if you prefer. How much information you give is up to you. 

Our counsellors will focus on exploring what’s happening for you at the moment, your current safety and the safety of anyone in your care, how you are coping, and help you work out what kind of support you need.

• Help you understand if what is going on is sexual, domestic or family violence
• Talk about ways to improve your safety
• Explain the different sorts of services and support available for you
• Connect you with different services to assist you
• Connect you with specialist counselling and support groups
• Help with things you are worried about, for example:
  • What will I do about money if I leave?
  • What will I do about a place to live if I leave?
  • How do I keep my children safe?
  • How do I keep my pets safe?
  • What happens when I report a sexual assault?
  • Will I need to have a medical examination?
  • What kind of support is available to help me continue with my study or employment?

1800RESPECT counsellors do not provide counselling to Australians who perpetrate violence. However there are a range of  programs which work with Australians seeking to change their violent behaviour that our counsellors can refer people to.

Yes. We understand that everyone's situation is different. We can help you find support no matter what you decide to do. There are ways to make yourself safer even if you don’t or are not able to leave.

Yes. If you feel there is something not right about the way you are being treated you can contact us to talk with one of our counsellors. They can help you understand what you have experienced and assist you to access the support you need.

1800RESPECT offers four channels to contact our counsellors – call, text, chat online and video call. Available 24/7.

Your call, text, chat or video call will be answered by someone who:

• Understands domestic, family and sexual violence
• Knows how hard it can be to talk about it
• Listens and believes you
• Understands that everyone’s situation is different and that no one knows your situation better than you
• Can talk through options and help you decide what information, people or services will be most helpful for you.