What does 1800RESPECT do?
- Help you understand if you’re in a domestic, family, and sexual violence situation
- Talk about ways to improve your safety
- Explain the different types of services and support available for you
- Connect you with the services and support that feels right to you
- Connect you with specialist counselling and support groups
- Help with things you may be worried about.
Note: Frontline workers and professionals can also use this service.
For example, you may ask questions like:
- 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 currently provide counselling to Australians who perpetrate violence. If you’re a male looking for ways to change violent and abusive behaviour, visit Men’s Referral Service.
How does 1800RESPECT help?
When you contact 1800RESPECT, you will talk to a trained counsellor who will listen, offer support, and work alongside you to find information, services and/or strategies that support your safety and wellbeing.
What you talk about and how much you say is up to you.
Most importantly, when you contact 1800RESPECT, your call, online chat, or text will be answered by someone who:
- Listens and believes you
- Understands domestic, family, and sexual violence
- Knows how hard it can be to talk about it
- 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.
How to contact 1800RESPECT
You can connect with an 1800RESPECT trained counsellor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via:
- Phone: 1800 737 732
- Online chat: www.1800RESPECT.org.au
- Text (SMS): Send ‘HELLO’ or a greeting to 0458 737 732.
