Information for Children and Youth
Kids Help Line - If you are aged between 5-18 years and you want to talk to someone about any problem, including bullying, you can ring the Kids Help line on 1800 55 1800. It is a free call, except from a mobile phone. The website also provides:
- children and youth to contact counsellors by email on talk to them online.
- infosheets on a range of topics includying bullying, domestic violence and child abuse
The Department of Community Services (DoCS) website has a section devoted to young people answering the following questions:
- know someone who's being abused?
- what is risk of harm?
- what is abuse?
- what are some signs of abuse?
- how will my friend be feeling?
- how do I talk to my friend about it?
- how do I report abuse?
- what will DoCS do?
Listen Up - Information for Young People is a 2 page information sheet in cartoon format giving information about the Charter of Victims Rights for young people. You can view Listen Up online at the Victims Services website or download copies.
Reach Out website has a number of fact sheets for young people covering a range of topics including:
- domestic violence
- experiencing violence
- helping a friend who is in a sexually abusive relationship
- sexual assault understanding bullying
The source website is developed and maintained by the Department of Family and Community Services and has information for young people in crisis.
The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre is a free legal service for homeless and disadvantaged young people aged 25 and under. You can phone the Shopfront Legal Centre on (02) 9360 1847.
Counselling Support
Casac Inc is a network of Child and Adolescent Sexual Assault Counsellors in NSW. The contact for the network is Rosebank Child Sexual Abuse Service, phone (02) 9601 3790 or email rosebank@amaze.net.au
Barnardos Children Family Centre provides counselling and crisis care for victims of domestic violence or child sexual assault. You can phone Barnados on 1800 061 000 or visit their website for contact details of a centre nearby.
Salvo Care Line is a 24 hour telephone counselling service run by the Salvation Army. Phone (02) 9331 6000 (Sydney Metro) or 1300 36 36 22 (Outside Sydney). For more information about counselling services offered by the Salvation Army visit their website: The Salvation Army.
Aboriginal Children's Service provides short and long term counselling and crisis intervention. Phone Mt Druitt on (020 9673 3072 or Redfern on (02) 9699 9835.
Information for Parents
The Department of Community Services (DoCS) website has information on child abuse, including neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse and emotional abuse, for parents and carers. A brochure on child abuse called, "Spot It - Help Stop It" is also available to download in English, Arabic, Chinese, Croation, Macedonian, Turkish, and Vietnamese.
You can report child abuse to the DoCS Helpline on 132 111
The NSW Commission for Children & Young People website has a number of publications on child abuse and parenting. The site also contains Kids' Stats - key data about the safety, welfare and well-being of young people in NSW aged 0-17 years.
Discuss Your Needs
You can also discuss options for support by phoning the Victims Support Line on (02) 8688 5400 or 1800 633 063 (toll free) or on TTY (02) 8688 5575 (for callers with a hearing impairment).
