A guide to domestic violence crisis management

4 minute read

Women

By

Laura Andronicos

Phone numbers and resources that practitioners can refer patients to.

The spotlight on the prevalence of violence against women in Australia is growing, and clinicians are turned to as a trusted and discreet source of information for how to get help.  

Information and referral services are free phone services or online portals which can be accessed for: 

  • crisis management to combat the immediate threat of homelessness such as transport, accommodation, and meals 
  • non-urgent assistance such as counselling, work and education pathways, access to clothes and toiletries, legal advice, child education programs and a variety of other support resources  
  • support for perpetrators of domestic violence such as counselling and education programs 

These are free, 24/7 services available year-round and are appropriate to contact for ANY level of support.  

NATIONAL 

  • 1800 RESPECT 

Call: 1800 737 732 
Text: 0458 737 732 
Visit: www.1800respect.org.au for video calls, online chat services and other online resources 

  • Ask Izzy 

Comprehensive online tool that connects you with your local services. Quick and simple to use, and completely anonymous.  

Visit: www.askizzy.org.au  

  • Men’s Referral Service 

The Men’s Referral Service is the national counselling, information and referral service for men who use violence and abuse to change their behaviour. 

Call: 1300 766 491 

Visit: https://ntv.org.au/mrs/ 

NSW 

  • Domestic Violence Line 

Call: 1800 656 463 

VICTORIA 

  • Safe Steps 

Call: 1800 015 188 
Visit: www.safesteps.org.au 

QLD 

  • Womensline 

Call: 1800 811 811 
Visit: www.dvconnect.org 

ACT 

  • Domestic Violence Crisis Service 

Call: (02) 6280 0900 
Visit: www. dvcs.org.au 

NORTHERN TERRITORY 

  • Women’s Safety Services of Central Australia 

Call: (08) 8952 6075 
Visit: www.wossca.org.au 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 

  • Domestic Violence Crisis Line 

Call: 1800 800 098  
Visit: www. womenssafetyservices.com.au 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 

  • Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline 

Call: 1800 007 339 

TASMANIA 

  • Safe At Home Family Violence Response and Referral Line 

Call: 1800 608 122 (9am-midnight Mon-Fri, 4pm-midnight weekends and public holidays). 
Tasmania does not have 24/7 support lines. After hours calls are forwarded directly to 000. 

Other services 

Drop-in centres are mostly available Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. Here are just a few of those available in major areas, but there are more out there that can be found online by searching “domestic violence centre” followed by the suburb or area e.g. Sydney. It’s important to note that for privacy and safety reasons, a lot of centres where you can go do not advertise their address or phone number and can only be accessed by referral from one of the helplines. 

  • Sydney 

Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre (WAGEC)   
Call: (02) 9319 4088  
Drop-in: 36-38 George St, Redfern NSW 2016 

  • Newcastle/Lake Macquarie/Hunter Region 

Jenny’s Place 
Call: (02) 4927 8529 
Appointments: www.jennysplace.org/resource-centre 

  • Victoria 

The Orange Door has many locations state-wide and phone numbers are site-specific.  
Visit: www.vic.gov.au/orange-door-locations 

  • Queensland 

Domestic Violence Action Centre 
Call:  (07) 3816 3000 Ipswich or (07) 4642 1354 Toowoomba 

Specific needs 

  • Pets  

Pets may present a roadblock for women looking to leave violent situations. Some of the services above have programs to ensure pet safety and accommodation but it’s important to note that even when accessing a service that doesn’t cater to pets, the RSPCA functions everywhere and can house and care for pets while their families find safe accommodation.  

  • Translation services 

Translation services are available for many of the helplines. There is also the option to contact Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) directly 24/7 and ask them to contact the service. 
Call: 131 450 

  • LGBTQIA+ and non-binary people 

There are hundreds of tailored services designed for specific groups and it’s easy to get bogged down in searching for the right one. Many don’t provide services directly to the public and are instead referred only from one of the larger overarching services (such as 1800 RESPECT). Calling the helplines will allow people to be referred to services appropriate to individual needs. 

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 

There are also many services specific to Indigenous Australians and they are often referral-only and can be accessed through contacting one of the helplines.  

If you have a domestic violence resource you have found particularly useful, please email us and let us know so we can include it here. Email laura@medicalrepublic.com.au 

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