Find Support

Seeking Support?

Any LGBTIQ+ person, their family or friends, who are affected by family violence can contact WithRespect on 1800 LGBTIQ (1800 542 847)

Service Hours

Telecounselling and Support

Monday 9am – 5pm

Tuesday 9am – 8pm

Wednesday 9am – 8pm

Thursday 9am – 5pm

Friday 9am – 5pm

After Hours Support, Referral, and Telecounselling

For telecounselling outside of regular service hours

Wednesday 5pm – 11pm

Saturday & Sunday 3pm – 10pm

These organisations can offer further support.

#	State	Service Types	Service	How to Contact
1.	ACT	Information only LGBTIQ ONLY	A Gender Agenda A Gender Agenda aims to support the goals and needs of the intersex, transgender and gender diverse communities of Canberra and the surrounding region. Through education, advocacy, peer support and professional networks we connect people to each other and build off the wisdom of collective experiences. For over ten years, AGA has represented a gold standard of TGD+I support that is unique in Australia.	(02) 6162 1924 https://genderrights.org.au
2.	ACT	Domestic and family violence support services	Canberra Rape Crisis Centre CRCC works collaboratively within service provision systems in the ACT to ensure that victims of sexual assault and their supporters receive appropriate services that are grounded in international guidelines for best practice in the treatment of sexual assault and child sexual assault trauma	02 6247 2525 https://www.crcc.org.au/
3.	ACT	Domestic and family violence support services	Domestic Violence Crisis Centre DVCS is a non-government, not-for-profit specialist domestic and family violence service that seeks to reduce violence and abuse in relationships for people in the ACT and Canberra. We provide crisis and long-term support services to help break the domestic and family violence cycle. We are here to support people, both during and after crisis situations.	(02) 62 800 900 24/7 Crisis line. https://dvcs.org.au/
4.	ALL	Counselling and Support Domestic and family violence support services	1800 Respect This 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.	Call: 1800 737 732 Or chat online https://www.1800respect.org.au/
5.	ALL	Mental Health Support	Beyond Blue Information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.	1300 22 4636 https://www.beyondblue.org.au
6.	ALL	Aboriginal Services Accommodation Support Domestic and family violence support services Legal Advice LGBTIQ ONLY	Black Rainbow Black Rainbow is Australia’s first and only National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Trans* and Intersex (LGBQTI) Suicide Prevention National Advocacy Platform and National Touchpoint. We support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBQTI people who are homeless, leaving domestic violence relationships or the justice system. We are 100% Indigenous owned and operated.	Website: http://www.blackrainbow.org.au
7.	ALL	Counselling and Support Mental Health Support	Kids Help Line Free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25 in Australia.	1800 551 800 https://www.kidshelpline.com.au/
8.	ALL	Counselling and Support Crisis Help Mental Health Support	Lifeline Anyone across Australia experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide can call 13 11 14. Someone will help put you in contact with a crisis service in your state or territory.	13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/
9.	ALL	Domestic and family violence support services Men’s Services	Men’s Referral Service This service from No to Violence offers assistance, information and counselling to help men who use family violence.	Call: 1300 766 491 https://ntv.org.au/get-help/
10.	ALL	Domestic and family violence support services Men’s Services	Mensline Australia Supports men and boys who are dealing with family and relationship difficulties. 24/7 telephone and online support an information service for Australian men.	Call: 1300 789 978 https://mensline.org.au/
11.	ALL	LGBTIQ ONLY	Qlife provides Australia-wide anonymous, LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender bodies, feelings or relationships.	1800 184 527 (3pm-midnight) https://qlife.org.au/
12.	NSW	Aboriginal Services Counselling and Support Domestic and family violence support services	Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (AMS) There are over 50 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (AMS) in NSW. Many AMS offer Domestic and Family Violence counselling services to find you nearest service visit Website: www.health.nsw.gov.au	http://www.health.nsw.gov.au
13.	NSW	Mental Health Support	ACON Community health, inclusion and HIV responses for people of diverse sexualities and genders. A&D Support, sexual health, mental health	E: [email protected] 02 9206 2000
14.	NSW	Information only LGBTIQ ONLY	Another Closet This website is written for people in LGBTIQ relationships who are, or may be, experiencing domestic and family violence.	http://www.anothercloset.com.au/
15.	NSW	Domestic and family violence support services Information only LGBTIQ ONLY	Another Closet Information and resources for LGBTIQ+ community experiencing Domestic Violence	http://www.anothercloset.com.au/
16.	NSW	Legal Advice	Inner City Legal Centre (ICLC) provides a state-wide specialist free legal advice service for anyone who identifies as LGBTIQ throughout NSW.	(02) 9332 1966
17.	NSW	Accommodation Support	Link2Home Homelessness Services The NSW Government Family and Community Services Link2home Line is free, confidential and staffed 24-hours, 7-days a week. If you are at risk of homelessness or need to access homelessness services call Link2home. From 9am to 10pm daily, Link2home will provide callers with information, assessments and referrals to homelessness support and accommodation services across NSW.	Link2home is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year on 1800 152 152.
18.	NSW	Accommodation Support Crisis Help	Link2Home Crisis Accomodation line for homelessness 24/7	1800 152 152
19.	NSW	Domestic and family violence support services	NSW Domestic Violence Line The NSW Government Family and Community Services Domestic Violence Line is the primary information service for people (incl Trans Women) experiencing domestic violence in NSW. The DV Line is free, confidential and staffed 24-hours, 7-days a week. Please note for your safety - if you call the 1800 number from your mobile it will be billed to your account and appear on your bill. If you call from a landline or pay phone it is free and will not appear on your bill	Freecall: 1800 656 463 TTY: 1800 671 442
20.	NSW	Accommodation Support	RSPCA Safe Beds for Pets provides temporary housing for pets of LGBTIQ people seeking refuge from domestic and family violence. Contact Safe Beds for Pets yourself or ask your domestic violence service to assist you with a referral	Email: [email protected] Phone: (02) 9782 4408
21.	NSW	Accommodation Support Domestic and family violence support services	Safe Beds For Pets RSPCA service who will provide a safe home for pets whose owners are fleeing situations due to DV. Financial assistance for Vets, transport fees and impound fees	02 9782 4408
22.	NSW	Legal Advice LGBTIQ ONLY	Safe Relationships Project The SRP is a court support and free legal advice service for LGBTIQ people experiencing or escaping domestic and family violence in NSW. The SRP operates a Safe Room for victims at the Sydney Downing Centre Court and can provide court support for victims at other NSW local courts. The SRP also provides community legal education for service providers.	Phone: (02) 9332 1966 Freecall: 1800 244 481
23.	NSW	Accommodation Support Counselling and Support LGBTIQ ONLY Mental Health Support	The Gender Centre Provides services such as counselling, accommodation, outreach and support for transgender, gender queer and gender questioning people in NSW.	http://www.gendercentre.org.au (02) 9569 2366
24.	NSW	Accommodation Support Counselling and Support Crisis Help Domestic and family violence support services LGBTIQ ONLY Mental Health Support	The Gender Centre Provides services such as counselling, accommodation, outreach and support for transgender, gender queer and gender questioning people in NSW.	Email: [email protected] https://gendercentre.org.au/ (02) 9519 7599
25.	NSW	Accommodation Support Counselling and Support LGBTIQ ONLY Under 25	Twenty 10 Provide a wide range of support services across New South Wales supporting people of diverse genders, sexes and sexualities, their families and communities, including specialised services for young people (12-26), such as case management, counselling and supported accommodation. As well as information, referral and support for all ages.	(02) 8594 9555, rural free call: 1800 65 2010 http://www.twenty10.org.au
26.	NSW	Legal Advice Women’s Services	Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services (WDVCAS) 27 different services throughout NSW – case coordination, legal support in court and will refer appropriately. Accessible to LGBTIQ+ members of community. They have specialist LGBTIQ+ workers. Can refer people who identify as male to appropriate services as well	[email protected] https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/community-partnerships/womens-domestic-violence-court-advocacy-program
27.	NSW	Counselling and Support Domestic and family violence support services Legal Advice Multicultural Services Women’s Services	Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services (WDVCAS) Case coordination, referrals, legal aid	1800 938 227 https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/community-partnerships/womens-domestic-violence-court-advocacy-program
28.	NT	Domestic and family violence support services Information only	Domestic and Family Violence NT service list	https://nt.gov.au/law/crime/domestic-family-and-sexual-violence/get-help-for-domestic-family-and-sexual-violence
29.	NT	Mental Health Support	Headspace Darwin	(08) 8931 5999 [email protected] https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/darwin/
30.	NT	Domestic and family violence support services	Relationships NT We provide a welcoming and accessible service to people who identify as LGBTIQ and gender diverse. Our service is culturally appropriate, supportive and respectful to the needs of the local LGBTIQ and gender diverse community.	1300 364 277 https://nt.relationships.org.au/
31.	QLD	Domestic and family violence support services	Brisbane Domestic Violence Service BDVS recognises the complexities of domestic and family violence in LGBTQI+ relationships and acknowledges that we are not experts in LGBTQI+ relationships. However, we are committed to keeping up to date with best practice and linking in with specialist LGBTQI+ services where needed and have a long history of supporting LGBTQI+ individuals experiencing domestic and family violence.	(07) 3217 2544 https://bdvs.org.au/services#LGBTQI+people
32.	QLD	Counselling and Support LGBTIQ ONLY	Diverse Voices Formerly the Gay and Lesbian Welfare Association Queensland, Diverse Voices is a non-profit organisation with a focus on the wellbeing of LGBTIQ communities through the operation of the Gay Line and Lesbian Line, a peer telephone counselling service. You can also access their counselling service QLife. QLife provides a place to talk about mental health, relationships, isolation, coming out, and a host of other concerns. Call 1800 184 527 (3pm to midnight, 7 days) or online chat (3pm to midnight, 7 days).	To contact the QLife call 1800 184 527. This service operates between 3pm and Midnight 365 days. For administrative and non-peer support related calls please phone our office during the hours of 9am-5pm on 0402 109 337 -Tue-Fri
33.	QLD	Domestic and family violence support services	DVConnect helps Queenslanders find pathways to safety, away from domestic, family and sexual violence. We help women, men and children regardless of age, ability, ethnicity, gender identification or religion. We also help pets.	Womensline: 1800 811 811 Mensline: 1800 600 636 No non-binary line, non-binary people are welcome to call either service and let them know your preferred pronoun. If you have experienced sexual violence, call our Sexual Assault Helpline: 1800 010 120
34.	QLD	Information only Under 25	Expanded Horizons Program The program offers QSPACE for young people (12-17 years) and QPLUS for youth (18-25 years) living on the Gold Coast. Both programs offer resources, guest speakers, peer support and information to build a positive sense of identity and connection with peers. Expanded Horizons supports young people to access information regarding:	1300 541 622 https://www.wmq.org.au/services/youth-and-family-support/youth-mental-health-programs/expanded-horizons
35.	QLD	Domestic and family violence support services LGBTIQ ONLY Under 25	Open Doors Youth Service Open Doors Youth Service provides support services to LGBTIQAP+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy young people aged 12 to 24 years and their families who live in South East Queensland. An initial ‘intake’ appointment is required to access the service. Please call Open Doors Youth Service to book this in with one of their Workers.	(07) 3257 7660 http://www.opendoors.net.au
36.	QLD	Accommodation Support LGBTIQ ONLY Under 25	Open Doors Youth Services We are Queensland’s leading LGBTIQAP+ youth homelessness service, working with young people who are at risk of/are disengaging with community and are at risk of/are experiencing homelessness. We aim to support you to stabilise your living situation and provide early intervention to support you to find safe living arrangements. This may include finding accommodation short/long term, supporting in providing mediation with parents, schools and other family members as well as advocacy and providing referrals and links to safe and supportive services.	07) 3257 7660 https://www.opendoors.net.au/
37.	QLD	Counselling and Support LGBTIQ ONLY	Relationships Australia Queensland Rainbow Counselling Service Provided by counsellors with specialised skills, knowledge and experience in the area of LGBTI service provision, the service’s central hub is our Spring Hill venue in Brisbane, but we also have a network of specially trained counsellors in many of our regional venues. Our helpful contact centre staff can help you find a counsellor who is right for you	1300 360 277 https://www.raq.org.au/services/rainbow-counselling-service
38.	SA	Information only LGBTIQ ONLY Under 25	Bfriend is a unique service that has operated in SA for 25 years, and is open for all who have questions about sexuality, gender identity, and intersex variations. We offer peer support, community connections, workplace training and volunteering opportunities for the community. You don’t have to be part of the LGBTIQA+ community to contact us – we can offer support to parents, friends, workers, and more! Our services are free and confidential, and you don’t require a referral.	Phone 8202 5190 Email [email protected] https://www.unitingcommunities.org/locations/bfriend/
39.	SA	N/A	Relationship Australia South Australia is committed to providing a supportive and welcoming environment for members of the LGBTIQA communities. Our intention is to continue to create and deliver services to meet the needs of people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity to support and improve their health and wellbeing.	1300 364 277 https://www.rasa.org.au
40.	SA	Counselling and Support Information only LGBTIQ ONLY	Shine SA Delivers sexual health and relationship wellbeing services for everyone. The Gender Wellbeing Service is a free, confidential service and safe space for people who are questioning their gender identity or identify as trans or gender diverse. This service provides psychological therapies, peer support, general information and support within the metropolitan area of Adelaide.	Phone 1300 794 584 Email [email protected] https://www.shinesa.org.au/community-information/sexual-gender-diversity/gender-wellbeing/
41.	SA	Domestic and family violence support services Information only	The Victim Support Service provides information and practical support to people affected by family and domestic violence in South Australia	Phone: 1800 842 846 https://www.victimsa.org/
42.	SA	Domestic and family violence support services Women’s Services	Women’s Safety Services SA (WSSSA)	1800 800 098 https://www.womenssafetyservices.com.au/index.php/about/contact
43.	SA	Counselling and Support Domestic and family violence support services	Yarrow Place Rape and Sexual Assault Service is an inclusive service, including medical and counselling services, for anyone in South Australia who has been sexually assaulted	Phone: 8226 8777 or 1800 817 421
44.	TAS	Aboriginal Services Information only	Aboriginal Family Violence, Health and Housing services in Tasmania	https://www.communities.tas.gov.au/csr/information_and_resources/family_and_community_violence/family_violence_information2/aboriginal_family_violence
45.	TAS	Counselling and Support Mental Health Support	Anglicare Anglicare Tasmania is committed to providing a safe place for all Tasmanians to access the services they need, including being welcoming and inclusive of LGBTIQ+ people. Our skilled, professional team have supported Tasmanians from all walks of life for over 30 years, delivering services to support people to overcome challenges in a broad range of areas	1800 243 232 https://www.anglicare-tas.org.au/mental-health-services/
46.	TAS	Counselling and Support LGBTIQ ONLY	Engender Equality Provides free counselling, support and therapies to people affected by family or domestic violence. Safe space for LGBTIQ community. Not a Crisis Line	03 6278 9090 https://engenderequality.org.au/
47.	TAS	Under 25	Pulse Health Pulse Youth Health South is a free and confidential health promotion, prevention and early intervention service for young people aged 12-24 years. Provides a mix of clinical services, education and health promotion programs to assist young people to address a wide range of health issues. Has a Worker on Duty to provide individual support for young people, a sexual health GP clinic, psychological services. Young people can self refer. Appointments not needed to access the Worker on Duty service.	(03) 6166 1421 [email protected]
48.	TAS	Counselling and Support	RA Tas provides couple counselling for same-gender couples and family counselling for same-gender parent. RA Tas has signed up with the MindOUT project to ensure our organisation is a safe, welcoming, inclusive and accessible this includes the appointment of a MindOUT champion within the organisation whose role (in consultation with the Director of People and Culture) is to monitor, review and identify that the organisation's policies, procedures, staff skills, staff knowledge, service delivery and workplace environment is respectful to the needs of LGBTIQ+ individuals and their families and to LGBTIQ+ community groups.	1300 364 277 https://www.tas.relationships.org.au/
49.	TAS	Crisis Help Domestic and family violence support services Information only	Safe at Home Safe at Home is Tasmania's integrated criminal justice response to family violence and is underpinned by the Family Violence Act (2004). It involves a range of services working together to address the risk and safety needs of victims and children and hold perpetrators accountable.	Safe at Home family violence response and referral line: 1800 633 937 24 Hr, 7 Days https://www.safeathome.tas.gov.au/
50.	TAS	N/A	Working It Out Working It Out is Tasmania's sexuality and gender support and education service. Working It Out provides support and advocacy services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) Tasmanians and education and training programmes to schools, workplaces, government, and non-government organisations.	03) 6231 1200 https://www.workingitout.org.au/
51.	VIC	Counselling and Support Domestic and family violence support services	Centres Against Sexual Assault Counselling and support if you have been sexually assaulted	1800 806 292 http://casa.org.au
52.	VIC	Domestic and family violence support services Information only	Domestic Violence Resource Centre The Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria (DVRCV) is a state-wide resource centre working to prevent and respond to family violence, with a particular focus on men’s violence against women in intimate relationships. We provide training, publications, research and other resources to those experiencing (or who have experienced) family violence, and practitioners and service organisations who work with family violence survivors. We are only able to respond to messages during normal business hours. If you have experienced violence or sexual assault and require immediate or ongoing assistance, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)	Phone Number: (03) 8346 5200 Website: https://www.dvrcv.org.au/help-advice/lgbtiq
53.	VIC	Domestic and family violence support services Women’s Services	EDVOS is the specialist family violence service for the eastern areas of Melbourne. We support all women, including women from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) communities, their children, pets and other animals, who are responding to any form of family violence.	(03) 9259 4200 https://www.edvos.org.au/lgbti-support/
54.	VIC	Domestic and family violence support services Multicultural Services Women’s Services	In Touch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence We are a state-wide specialist family violence service that works with women from migrant and refugee backgrounds, their families and their communities in Victoria. We provide case management to women, training, conduct research, and run community-based projects in order to address the issue of family violence in the community. inTouch’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and accessible multicultural family violence services has been recognized with a Rainbow Tick.	1800 755 988 https://intouch.org.au/
55.	VIC	Crisis Help Domestic and family violence support services	Kara House Lesbian Domestic Violence Outreach Service Kara House offers a range of services and programs to assist women and children in situations of control and abuse. These include crisis accommodation, integrated family violence support and specialist children’s services and support for members of the LGTBI+ community.	t: 1800 900 520 e: [email protected] https://www.karahouse.org.au/
56.	VIC	Legal Advice LGBTIQ ONLY	LGBTI Legal Service: The LGBTI Legal Service provides legal advice and information to clients who have legal problems arising from their identification as LGBTIQ and/or because they feel more comfortable dealing with a solicitor with specific skills, interest and understanding of LGBTIQ legal issues and the barriers experienced by these communities in accessing the legal system. They may assist you with legal issues associated with: family law, domestic violence, surrogacy and parenting rights, criminal law, discrimination, victims support, civil matters, legal issues in relation to government decisions and Centrelink employment.	https://lgbtiqlegal.org.au/contact-us/
57.	VIC	Counselling and Support Domestic and family violence support services LGBTIQ ONLY Mental Health Support	Queerspace Queerspace provides counselling, case management, flexible support packages, referrals and recovery programs for LGBTIQ+ victim/survivors of family violence and programs for LGBTIQ+ people using violence with the goal that they stop using violence and abuse.	Phone 03 9663 6733 http://WWW.QUEERSPACE.ORG.AU
58.	VIC	Domestic and family violence support services	Safe Steps We provide specialist support services for anyone in Victoria who is experiencing or afraid of family violence.	1800 015 188 https://www.safesteps.org.au/
59.	VIC	Counselling and Support Domestic and family violence support services LGBTIQ ONLY	w/Respect WithRespect is a family violence and intimate partner violence service supporting LGBTIQ+ communities and their families. WithRespect offers a service model which can respond to both the person impacted by violence and the person using violence	1800 LGBTIQ (1800 542 847) https://www.withrespect.org.au/
60.	VIC	Counselling and Support Domestic and family violence support services LGBTIQ ONLY	Thorne Harbour Health Counselling services to LGBTI communities and support for those who are considering leaving or have recently left a relationship.	1800 134 840 https://thorneharbour.org/lgbti-health/relationship-family-violence/
61.	WA	Aboriginal Services Domestic and family violence support services Legal Advice	Aboriginal Family Law Services A not-for-profit organisation, that assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live free from family violence and sexual assault. Offers free legal services, community education and early intervention and prevention programs.	Telephone (08) 9355 1502 or free call 1800 469 246.
62.	WA	Aboriginal Services	Aboriginal Interpreting WA (formerly Kimberley Interpreting Services) Provides interpreters accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters in more than 18 Kimberley and central desert Indigenous languages to clients anywhere in Australia.	Telephone (08) 9192 3981.
63.	WA	Aboriginal Services Legal Advice	Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia Provides legal representation and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Western Australia.	Telephone (08) 9265 6666 or (08) 9265 6644 (after hours). Free call 1800 019 900 (from anywhere in Western Australia).
64.	WA	Aboriginal Services Legal Advice	Albany Family Violence Prevention Legal Service Legal service in the Albany area for Aboriginal adults and children experiencing domestic and family violence, and child and adult sexual assault.	Telephone (08) 9842 7751 or free call 1800 557 187.
65.	WA	Aboriginal Services Legal Advice	Djinda Services Specialist legal and non-legal support service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that have experienced or are at risk of family and domestic violence or sexual assault. The service provides legal advice and limited court representation about violence restraining orders; victim assistance; children's protection and care; criminal injuries compensation where it relates to family violence; and family law.	Telephone (08) 9200 2202.
66.	WA	Counselling and Support Information only	Living Proud Living Proud is the WA partner for QLife. As WA’s main LGBTI community service our focus is on providing essential services to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans* and intersex communities, including our peer counselling phone line, health and wellbeing initiatives and community capacity building	QLife Telephone Counselling Line 1800 184 527 3pm – 12pm, 7 Days General and administrative enquires Ph: (08) 9486 9855 E: [email protected] https://www.livingproud.org.au/
67.	WA	Aboriginal Services Legal Advice	Marnin Family Support and Legal Unit Delivers culturally appropriate legal representation and non-legal holistic support services for Aboriginal women and children in the Fitzroy Crossing area experiencing family and domestic violence.	Telephone (08) 9191 5284.
68.	WA	Crisis Help Domestic and family violence support services	Sexual Assault Resource Centre Located in Perth and provides a range of free services to people in the metropolitan area affected by sexual violence SARC also provide free telephone advice/support to those in non-metropolitan areas and have a 24 Hour Emergency Line. People of all genders are welcome to use this service.	Contacting in an Emergency after a Sexual Assault You can telephone SARC at any time of the day or night following a recent sexual assault. Tel: (08) 6458 1828 https://www.kemh.health.wa.gov.au/our-services/service-directory/sarc Tel: 1800 199 888 (free call from landlines) Only available if the sexual assault occurred within the past 2 weeks Contacting for Crisis Counselling If you are in crisis emotionally, you can speak to a SARC counsellor over the telephone between 8.30am and 11pm any day of the week. Tel: (08) 6458 1828 Contacting to Request a Counselling appointment You need to telephone SARC between 8.30am and 4.30pm to request a counselling appointment. Tel: (08) 6458 1828 General administration queries and appointment changes/cancellations Tel: (08) 6458 1820
69.	WA	Counselling and Support Domestic and family violence support services	Waratah Support Centre Waratah provides free, specialised and therapeutic intervention, counselling and support services for people who have experienced sexual assault and/or sexual abuse and/or family domestic violence	Phone 9791 2884. Freecall: 1800 017 303 [email protected].
70.	WA	Aboriginal Services Counselling and Support	Yorgum Aboriginal Family Counselling Service Aboriginal community-based counselling service for Aboriginal children and adults who have experienced family violence and/or child sexual abuse.	Telephone (08) 9218 9477 or free call 1800 469 371
71.	VIC	Counselling and Support Domestic and family violence support services LGBTIQ ONLY	Rainbow Door A free specialist LGBTIQA+ (Lesbian, Gay , Bisexual, Transgender and Gender Diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual, BrotherBoys, SisterGirls) helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. This service is run by Switchboard Victoria.	Call: 1800 729 367 Email: [email protected] SMS: 0480 017 246

Leaving Home

If an LGBTIQ person experiencing family violence leaves their home, their options include:

Safe Steps is the 24-hour crisis response service for women (including cis, trans and transfeminine identifying individuals) and children which provides:

24-hour advice
Referrals to specialist family violence services
Access to crisis accommodation.

Refuge

All women and children who need urgent, high-security accommodation have the right to access refuges, depending on a risk assessment by a specialist family violence service. Refuge accommodation is limited and operates on a 6-week stay model.

Moving in with friends or family
Finding a private rental property
Victims Support Agency
Family Violence Flexible support packages

can assist people with funding for setting up a new home or for crisis accommodation. They are only available through case workers in a family violence service. Contact 1800 LGBTIQ.

Staying at Home

Staying at home should be encouraged if it is safe to do so and appropriate risk assessment and safety planning is in place. People experiencing family violence residing in both social/government housing and private rental have legal rights to remain in the property even if they are not named on the lease. If they reside in social housing, DHHS can arrange and pay for an urgent locks change.

If there is a police-issued Family Violence Safety Notice or a full FVIO in place, one of the conditions will be that the person using violence is excluded from the home. It will be a breach of the order and a criminal offence for that person to enter the home.

For renters, the Tenants Union of Victoria has a family violence protection tenancy kit and can provide advice about how to have the locks changed, receive consideration for rental arrears and have people using violence removed from the lease.

Funding for additional safety measures to enhance a home’s security, known as a ‘safe at home’ or ‘personal safety initiative’ response is available though:

Victims Support Agency

Can pay for items and services such as tech safety advice, surveillance sweeps of cars and premises, personal safety alarms, CCTV cameras, deadlocks.

Family Violence Flexible support packages

Can pay for items and services such as tech safety advice, surveillance sweeps of cars and premises, personal safety alarms, CCTV cameras, deadlocks.
Only available through case workers in a family violence service. Contact 1800 LGBTIQ.

Other Accommodation and Housing Options

There is a range of crisis and specialist housing and homelessness support services available in Victoria for LGBTIQ women, men, non-binary and young people experiencing family violence. Priority Access is for people needing housing more urgently or who are particularly vulnerable or at risk. These services may be able to assist people depending on area and eligibility criteria:

Department of Human Services

1800 825 955 (24 hours, statewide and toll free).

Victorian Housing Register

Lodge an online application for social housing options.

Homelessness Access Points

These services also function as a gateway to transitional housing, subsidised rental programs and long-term social housing.

Tenancy Plus

A program which supports people already living in social housing who are experiencing risk to their tenancy (caused by family violence or any other reason). Local Homelessness Access Points can provide more information.

To be eligible for these services, people generally need to:

Be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia
Receive a regular income from either welfare benefits or employment (eligibility thresholds apply).