Women’s health centres are non-government, community based, feminist services that provide choices for women to meet their individual health needs. A list of women’s health centres in NSW are available on this link.
Women’s refuges
Women’s refuges provide accommodation and support for you and your children if you have escaped domestic and family violence. If you need refuge accommodation, call the
NSW Domestic Violence Line. Visit the Family & Community Services (FACS) page to
find a women’s refuge in NSW.
Phone: 1800 656 463
Men’s accommodation
Referrals to accommodation providers for single men and men with children are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through
MensLine Australia.
Phone: 1300 78 99 78
Link2home Homelessness Information Line
Link2home Homelessness Information Line is a statewide telephone service providing information, assessment and referral to specialist homelessness services, temporary accommodation and other appropriate services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Open 24/7.
Phone 1800 152 152
Staying in your own home
Some areas of NSW have a
Staying Home Leaving Violence program. The aim of the Staying Home Leaving Violence program is to prevent you and your children becoming homeless or having to move away from your support system of family and friends, and the school and community where you live.
Contact the Family & Community Services Domestic Violence Line to see if there is a Staying Home Leaving Violence program in your area.
Phone: 1800 65 64 63
Housing assistance from Family & Community Services (FACS)
FACS Housing recognises that domestic and family violence has a serious and harmful impact on victims and their families.
Persons who are affected by domestic violence are considered to be ‘at risk’ and therefore may be eligible for priority housing assistance or Rentstart provided other eligibility criteria are met. They may also be eligible for Rent Choice Start Safely.
Family & Community Services Housing Contact Centre
Contact the Housing Contact Centre for information on housing assistance and Rentstart information.
Phone: 1800 422 322
If you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and wish to speak to an Aboriginal operator, just select the relevant menu option (available Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.)
MensLine Australia
MensLine Australia is the national telephone support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. MensLine Australia can also provide referrals to face-to-face counselling and support services.
Phone: 1300 78 99 78
Interpreters
Legal information and advocacy
LawAccess NSW
LawAccess NSW provides legal information, referrals and in some cases, legal advice. Call 1300 888 529 to speak to an information officer about your legal problem.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment, contact LawAccess NSW through the National Relay Service and ask for LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529.
For an interpreter call 131 450 and ask for LawAccess NSW.
Women’s Legal Services NSW – Domestic Violence Legal Service
The
Domestic Violence Legal Service is a specialist legal service for women experiencing domestic and family violence in NSW. Its main objective is to inform women who have experienced violence about their legal rights and to help women obtain access to justice.
Phone: 02 8745 6999 or 1800 810 784
Legal Aid NSW
Legal Aid NSW can help victims of domestic violence with their legal and social needs. Legal Aid NSW can help clients better understand their legal problems and provides free legal advice, casework assistance in a range of legal matters including apprehended domestic violence orders, family law and care and protection matters.
Phone: 02 9219 6300 (Domestic Violence Unit)
Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre
Wirringa Baiya is a NSW statewide community legal centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and youth. Wirringa Baiya provides services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who are victims of violence, with access to appropriate legal representation, advice and referral.
Phone: 02 9569 3847 or 1800 686 587
Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT
Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) provides legal advice and representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in criminal law, family law and children’s care and protection law. They also assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, women and children through representation in court, advice and information, and referral to further support services.
Phone: 1800 765 767
Find your local ALS service
here.
Sexual Assault
NSW Rape Crisis Counselling Service
NSW Rape Crisis is a nationwide 24/7 telephone and online crisis counselling service for anyone in Australia who has experienced or is at risk of sexual violence, family or domestic violence. Counselling for women who were sexually assaulted in is also available from Women’s Health centres across NSW.
Phone: 1800 424 017
Victims Access Line
The Victims Access Line (or VAL) is the single entry point for victims of crime in New South Wales to access services. The VAL provides confidential support, referral and information for victims of crime.
Phone: 1800 633 063
Victims Services Aboriginal Contact Line
Confidential enquiry line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are victims of crime.
Phone: 1800 019 123
1800Respect
1800Respect is the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service, available 24 hours a day/seven days a week, that provides service for:
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People experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, sexual assault, domestic or family violence
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Their friends and family
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Workers and professionals supporting someone experiencing, or at risk of experiencing sexual assault, domestic or family violence
Witness Assistance Service
The
Witness Assistance Service (WAS) assists and supports both victims of crime and vulnerable prosecution witnesses. The WAS assists victims and witnesses in the following ways:
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providing information about the legal process.
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providing information about victims’ rights and special provisions for giving evidence.
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supporting victims and witnesses throughout the prosecution.
The WAS is part of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Phone: 1800 814 534
Getting help for those who use violence
There are also support services in NSW for those use violence.
MensLine Australia
MensLine Australia is the national telephone support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. MensLine Australia can also provide referrals to face-to-face counselling and support services.
Phone: 1300 78 99 78
Legal Aid NSW
Legal Aid NSW can help victims of domestic violence with their legal and social needs. Legal Aid NSW can help clients better understand their legal problems and provides free legal advice, casework assistance in a range of legal matters including apprehended domestic violence orders, family law and care and protection matters.
Phone: 02 9219 6300 (Domestic Violence Unit)