Support and Advice
You can discuss options for support by phoning the Victims Support Line on 8688 5400 or 1800 633 063 (toll free) or on TTY (02) 8688 5575 (for callers with a hearing impairment). This support line is provided by the Victims of Crime Bureau and is available 24 hours a day.
If the sexual assault occurred in New South Wales you may be eligible to apply for free counselling, or for compensation. The Victims Services website can provide you with more information.
The NSW Rape Crisis Centre is a state-wide 24 hour telephone crisis, support and referral service for women who have experienced sexual violence. Phone 1800 424 017. For more information visit the NSW Rape Crisis Centre website.
For more information about sexual assault - what it is, what happens if it is reported to police, how the the law and the criminal justice system deal with victims of sexual assault, as well as health and counselling services available to victims, visit www.sexualassault.nsw.gov.au
NSW Department of Health
The NSW Health Services website has a directory of sexual assault services located in your area.
The NSW Health Services can provide the following support:
Adult Sexual Assault - If you have been sexually assaulted as an adult, you can contact a Sexual Assault Service. Staff can talk to you about your medical and counselling needs, reporting a sexual assault to the police, preparation for any court hearings, or a victim impact statement.
Adult Survivor of Child Sexual Assault - If you are an adult and you were sexually assaulted as a child, you can talk to staff from different agencies such as a Sexual Assault Service, a Community Health Centre, or the Victims of Crime Bureau.
Child and Adolescent Sexual Assault
Information for children - If you are a child under the age of 16 years who has been sexually assaulted, you have the right to support, advice and counselling. You can contact the NSW Health Services for your nearest Sexual Assault Service.
Kids Help Line - If you are between the ages of 5-18 years and you want to talk to someone you can also ring the Kids Help line on 1800 55 1800. It is a free call, except from a mobile phone. You can also look at the Kids Help Line website to see some of the services they provide.
Information for parents - If you are the parent or carer of a child under the age of 16 years who has been sexually assaulted, you have the right to support, advice and counselling. You can contact the NSW Health Services for your nearest Sexual Assault Service.
DoCS - A report first needs to be made to the Department of Community Services (DOCS) who can take action to make sure that children are protected. You can call the DoCS Helpline on 132 111, which is available 24 hours a day. You can ring from anywhere in NSW for the cost of a local call. The DoCS website has further information about contacting DoCS near where you live.
The NSW Centre for Parenting & Research website has further information to assist parents.
CASAC Inc (Child and Adolescent Sexual Assault Counsellors) offers counselling and support services to children and adolescents who have experienced sexual assault and also to their non-offending family members and/or carers. CASAC consists of 21 community based services state-wide and is funded by the Department of Community Services. To loacte your nearest CASAC service you can phone Rosebank Child Sexual Abuse Service on (02) 9601 3790 or email info@rosebankcsa.org.au
Date Rape
The Crime Prevention Division of the NSW Attorney General's Department has set up an About Date Rape website which provides information and resources about date rape to girls who may have been assaulted, their friends and family. Information provided includes safety tips, finding help and educational resources.
Police
If you wish to report the sexual assault to the police, you can ring your nearest local command and ask for an officer who specialises in sexual assault matters. To find contact details of your nearest local command visit the NSW Police website.
Publications
The Education Centre Against Violence (NSW Health) has developed information booklets to help victims of sexual assault:
- Helping to make it better - Information for parents and carers about the sexual assault of children.
- What is sexual assault and where you can get help - Multilingual information booklets about sexual assault and sexual assault counselling in Vietnamese, Chinese, Spanish, Italian, Korean, Hindi, Punjabi, Turkish, Arabic and Khmer language.
- Who can a man tell? - information for men who were sexually assaulted as children.
- When a Man is Raped - A Survival Guide - Information for men who have been raped, their parents, spouses and friends.
You can view these booklets or order copies online at the Education Centre Against Violence website.
The NSW Rape Crisis Centre website has 25 information sheets available including:
- If You Have Been Sexually Assaulted
- Choosing a Counsellor
- Telling Family and Friends
- I am an Indigenous Woman
- I have a history of Mental Illness
