If you need help
As I am not a therapist, nor trained as a counsellor, I can not provide therapeutic advice. The Wisdom of Survivors' project and book is about seeking the wisdom of people who are well progressed along the journey of recovery.
If you are in need of help and support, please refer to the list below of services that can provide help. This information has been sourced from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 'finding help and support page'.
1800 Respect - Call 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org.au
24/7 telephone and online crisis support, information and immediate referral to specialist counselling for anyone in Australia who has experienced or been impacted by sexual assault, or domestic or family violence.
Lifeline - Call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au
24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention
NATIONAL
Blue Knot Foundation - 1300 657 380
Counselling and support for survivors
Bravehearts Inc - 1800 272 831
Counselling and support for survivors, child protection advocacy
Care Leavers Australasia Network - 1800 008 774
Support and advocacy for Forgotten Australians
Child Migrants Trust - 1800 040 509
Social work services for Former Child Migrants, including counselling and support for family reunions
Child Wise - 1800 991 099
Trauma informed telephone and online counselling for childhood abuse. Training and organisational capacity building on child abuse prevention
Children and Young People with Disability Australia - 1800 222 660/03 9417 1025
National peak body for children and young people with disability. Provides information and systemic representation
Healing Foundation - There is no phone number to contact the Healing Council. Please contact using their website.
Service to help build the capacity of Indigenous organisations and support the development of the Link Up network
In Good Faith Foundation - 03 9326 1190
Independent advocacy, case work, referral and support to aid recovery for survivors, their families and communities responding to religious institutional abuses.
People with Disability Australia - 1800 422 015/TTY: 1800 422 016
National telephone line to provide information and referrals to people with disabilities
Full Stop Australia - 1800 211 028
National telephone counselling service for people who have experienced abuse. Face-to-face counselling is available in New South Wales.
NSW
Interrelate Family Centres - 1300 473 528
Community based, not-for-profit organisation with a network of counselling centres across metropolitan, regional and rural New South Wales
Link Up NSW Aboriginal Corporation - 1800 624 332 (not available to mobiles)/02 9421 4700
Counselling, healing and culturally appropriate support for Indigenous Australians
Relationships Australia NSW - 1800 052 674/1300 364 277
Family and relationship counselling as well as a range of specialist counselling services
The Womens Cottage - 02 4578 4190
Community based support and resource centre, run by women, for women and children
ACT
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre - 02 6247 2525
Free counselling and support for all survivors of sexual assault, male and female, and their families/supporters, along with information, advocacy, referral and education
Relationships Australia ACT - 02 6122 7190/1300 364 277
Family and relationship counselling as well as a range of specialist counselling services
NT
Danila Dilba Health Service- 08 8942 5400
Counselling, healing and culturally appropriate support for Indigenous Australians
Relationships Australia NT - 08 8923 4999/1300 364 277
Family and relationship counselling as well as a range of specialist counselling services
QLD
Link Up Queensland - 1800 200 855
Counselling, healing and culturally appropriate support for Indigenous Australians
Centre Against Sexual Violence - 07 3808 3299
Community based sexual assault service dedicated to serving the sexual assault support, education and information needs of the Logan, Beenleigh and Beaudesert communities
Micah Projects Inc - 07 3029 7000
A dedicated support service and resource centre for Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants
Relationships Australia QLD - 1800 552 127/1300 364 277
Family and relationship counselling as well as a range of specialist counselling services
SA
Nunkuwarrin Yunti of SA Inc - 08 8406 1600
Counselling, healing and culturally appropriate support for Indigenous Australians
Relationships Australia SA - 1800 182 325/1300 364 277
Counselling and support for individuals and families affected by the Royal Commission. Services are free and confidential
Victim Support Service Incorporated - 1800 842 846
Support to adult victims of crime, witnesses, their family, and friends across South Australia. Specific Royal Commission Support Services are available
TAS
Relationships Australia Tasmania - 1300 364 277
Family and relationship counselling as well as a range of specialist counselling services
Sexual Assault Support Service Inc. - 1800 697 877 (24 hrs MYSUPPORT)/03 6231 0044 (9am – 5pm, Mon- Fri)
Community based service committed to providing high quality support and information services to survivors of sexual assault
VIC
Open Place - 1800 779 379/03 9421 6162
Counselling and support programs for Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants, their families and carers to help them recover from their trauma.
Drummond St Services Inc - 03 9663 6733
Provides a wide range of support and recovery for individuals, families, couples, young people and children.
Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency - 03 9459 7030
Provides counselling, healing and culturally appropriate support for Indigenous Australians.
Relationships Australia VIC - 1800 052 674/1300 364 277
Offers family and relationship counselling as well as a range of specialist counselling services.
WA
Kimberley Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation - 1800 830 338
Counselling, healing and culturally appropriate support for Indigenous Australians
Relationships Australia WA - 08 6164 0255
Family and relationship counselling as well as a range of specialist counselling services
Yorgum Aboriginal Corporation - 08 9218 9477/1800 469 371
Counselling, healing and culturally appropriate support for Indigenous Australians
Outside Australia, an internet search can also help you link with services most appropriate to your needs and location, or you can contact any of the other organisations on this page.
