Find help for domestic violence
You don't have to live with abuse. Support is available.
If you are in immediate danger, call 000
The Salvation Army has a range of services that can help you find safety and support.
Whether it’s psychological, emotional, physical, sexual, verbal, social or financial abuse you’re confronted with, we can talk through your options and work out a course of action.
You can reach out at any time. We offer support, strategies for keeping the family together and help finding the services you need. If you are considering leaving your home, we can help with crisis accommodation. If you and / or your children, or someone you know, is safe right now, but need help, please contact the following service in your state. These services can provide the advice, support and referrals you need to find safety.
If you are not sure which service to contact, reach out to 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Select your location.
Australian Capital Territory
Domestic Violence Crisis Service
This crisis service provides telephone support, attendance with police at family and domestic violence incidents, access to safe emergency accommodation, safety planning and referrals to support services.
A crisis intervention professional will answer the call. They do not pressure people to leave, call the police or involve the courts.
Safer in the Home
Safer in the Home are supporting women and children experiencing family violence to stay safely in their family homes or their homes of choice, providing support through the funding basic security upgrades for low risk women and families.
9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday
New South Wales
Domestic Violence Line
When you call the Domestic Violence Line, the call will be answered by a trained female counsellor who is sensitive to the needs of women who have experienced domestic and family violence. You can ring as often as you need to at any time, day or night.
Safer in the Home
Safer in the Home supports women and children experiencing family violence to stay safely in their family homes or their homes of choice, providing support through the funding basic security upgrades for low risk women and families.
9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday
Northern Territory
Alice Springs
- Alice Springs Women’s Shelter p 08 8952 6075
- Central family violence counsellor p 08 8952 6075
- Central Australian Aboriginal Congress p 08 8951 4444
- NPY Women’s Council domestic violence service p 1800 180 840 or 08 8958 2374
- Women’s information service p 08 8951 5174
Darwin
- Dawin House p 08 8945 1388
- Darwin Aboriginal and Indigenous Women’s Shelter p 08 8945 2284
- Catherine Booth House (The Salvation Army) p 08 8981 5928
- Larrakia Nation p 1800 101 645
- Young Women’s Christian Association p 08 8932 9155
Katherine
- Wurli Wurlingang Health Service p 08 8972 9100
- Katherine Women’s Crisis Centre p 08 8972 1332
- Katherine domestic and family violence counsellor p 08 8971 0777
Nhulunbuy
- Crisis Accommodation Gove p 08 8987 1166
- Anglicare Nhulunbuy p 08 8987 3022
Tennant Creek
- Tennant Creek Women’s Refuge – p 08 8962 1940
- Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation – p 08 8962 2615
- Piliyintinji-Ki Stronger Families Women's Centre – p 08 8962 2074
- Barkly Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Group – p 08 8962 1136
- CatholicCare – p 08 8962 3065
Queensland
Crisis support:
If you are currently in imminent danger, call emergency services on 000. If you require urgent assistance or crisis accommodation due to Family and Domestic Violence contact DVCONNECT on 1800 811 811.
Family Violence Refuge services:
TSA Family Violence operates two family violence refuge services funded by The Department of Justice and the Attorney General (DJAG) in the South East and North of QLD. Please contact DVCONNECT, who can access available vacancies, on 1800 811 811.
Outreach services Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Mackay:
TSA Family Violence Service operates outreach programs on the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast (with outreach to Brisbane) and in Mackay. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:30pm (SC & GC) and 9am-5pm (Mackay).
Our outreach services provide post-crisis support and case management to adult victim-survivors of family and domestic violence. Available support can include assessments of risk, safety planning, advocacy, support accessing grants or other payments, referrals to other services and limited financial assistance related to safety.
To refer yourself or another person into our outreach program please complete the referral form below. We aim to respond to all referrals as quickly as possible. However, due to demand, timeframes can vary.
Embedded Domestic and Family Violence Practitioner:
In the Mackay Region, TSA Family Violence Service are funded by DJAG to co-locate with Police and provide specialist support, information and advice to victim-survivors who attend the Police Station. TSA Family Violence Service can also provide referrals to other services for crisis, case management and longer term supports. This service is available 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday.
Mobile Support in Mackay and Isaac Region:
TSA Family Violence Service operates a Mobile Support Unit (MSU), which operates across Mackay and part of the Isaac Region. Our business hours are Monday to Friday 8am-5pm.
This service provides support for adult victim-survivors of family and domestic violence experiencing housing instability due to Family and Domestic Violence. This program aims to aid in the recovery from the violence and provide an early intervention response to homelessness, where the person responsible for the violence has left the home. Available support can include assessments of risk, safety planning, advocacy and support sustaining housing, referrals to other services and limited financial assistance related to housing sustainment.
To refer yourself or another person into the MSU please complete the referral form. We aim to respond to all referrals as quickly as possible. However, due to demand, timeframes can vary.
Housing partnerships:
TSA Family Violence Service on the Sunshine Coast is a network partner in the RISE2 Foundation established by Zonta Club and in collaboration with Coas2Bay Housing. TSA Specialist Family Violence Practitioners provide trauma informed case management services for victim survivors in 10 Family and Domestic Violence Houses in the community with a focus on safety, recovery and empowerment for women and children: Rise2 Foundation - RISE2 Foundation
TSA Family Violence run programs supported by both DJAG and philanthropic donations.
Referrals into our refuge services and housing programs are through DVCONNECT and other FDV service providers. The outreach and mobile support unit referral form can be accessed below:
Family Violence Outreach Referral Form QLD
Other support services:
For financial assistance, please visit: Support from charities | Community support | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
For your local Family and Domestic Violence Service provider please visit: Find local support | Community support | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
For homelessness support please visit: Emergency accommodation | Homes and housing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
Safer in the Home: Safer in the Home | The Salvation Army Australia
South Australia
Domestic Violence Crisis Line
The Domestic Violence Crisis Line is a state-wide service offering assistance to women experiencing domestic violence in South Australia by providing information, counselling and safe accommodation options.
24 hours per day.
Safer in the Home
The program is designed to support women and children experiencing family violence to stay safely in their family homes or their homes of choice, providing support through the funding basic security upgrades for low risk women and families.
Safer in the Home is delivered by The Salvation Army and supported by the federal government.
9.00am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday
Tasmania
Family Violence Response and Referral Line
This line offers an information and referral service where callers are able to access counselling, information and other support services.
24 hours per day
Tasmania Family Violence Counselling and Support Service
Services are available to anyone, including children and young people, who need support or information because their partner, ex-partner or family member is or has been violent or abusive to them. People can self-refer, or be referred by another person or service.
- 9.00am - midnight, Monday to Friday.
- 4.00pm to midnight Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
Visit the Tasmania Family Violence Counselling and Support Service website
Safer in the Home
The program is designed to support women and children experiencing family violence to stay safely in their family homes or their homes of choice, providing support through the funding basic security upgrades for low risk women and families.
Safer in the Home is delivered by The Salvation Army and supported by the federal government.
9.00am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday
Victoria
Safe Steps
Safe Steps family violence response centre is Victoria’s statewide first response service for women, young people and children experiencing family violence.
24 hours
The Orange Door
The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children.
9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday
Safer in the Home
Supporting women and children experiencing family violence to stay safely in their family homes or their homes of choice, providing support through the funding basic security upgrades for low risk women and families.
Safer in the Home is a national program.
9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday
Western Australia
Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline
The Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline provides support and counselling for women experiencing family and domestic violence. This includes phone counselling, information and advice, referral to local support services, contact with police if needed and support in escaping situations of family and domestic violence. The service can also refer women to safe accommodation.
A telephone based interpreting service is available if needed.
24 hours per day
p 07 9223 1188 or 1800 007 339
Safer in the Home
The program is designed to support women and children experiencing family violence to stay safely in their family homes or their homes of choice, providing support through the funding basic security upgrades for low risk women and families.
Safer in the Home is a National program (based in Melbourne) delivered by The Salvation Army and supported by the federal government.
9.00am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday
Safety plan
It is helpful to have a safety plan in place to protect yourself and your children while you are experiencing family violence. These actions can help you as you plan your next step:
- Report every instance of violence and abuse to the police
- Have a mobile phone with you at all times in case you need to call 000
- Ask neighbours to call the police on 000 if they hear fighting, shouting or noises that sound like violence
- Keep the numbers of your local police station, taxi service, any emergency accommodation and domestic violence service providers in your mobile or wallet
- Keep records of any contact with your current or former partner, including saving abusive text messages, voice mail messages, emails, and social media posts or messages, and report them to the police
- Keep in touch with your support worker (if you have one)
- Clear the online search history on your computer, device and on social media and try to use a computer or device outside of the home, such as friend’s phone or computer at a library
- If possible, have a spare mobile phone with prepaid credit on it
- Have a list of places you can go where you feel safe
- Locate accommodation that will take pets or find carers for your pets, you can find these through the state-wide services listed above
- Do a practice run if possible
- Have an emergency bag packed for when you feel unsafe or things get out of control
Emergency bag checklist
- Cash, debit and credit cards
- Bank account details
- Medicare card, medical records, prescriptions
- Your’s and your children's ID, such as driver's licence, birth certificates, passports
- Lease or rental agreement, or mortgage papers
- Centrelink info, tax file number
- Legal papers, such as residency documents
- Copies of Domestic or Family Violence Orders
- Clothing for you and your children
- Recent photo of your ex-partner
- Spare key to your house and car
- Personal items such as your jewellery or the kids' toys
1800RESPECT have created a helpful downloadable checklist (pdf) to help.
Case Study: Help and hope is available
Kate (name changed for privacy) and her two young children came to The Salvation Army Family Violence Services after experiencing significant family violence perpetrated by her ex-husband and his family.
Kate spoke very little English and did not know where to turn for support. When she presented at the service she and her two young children were homeless after fleeing the family home. They were fearful for their lives and had no money and no belongings.
In the days that followed, Family Violence Services was able to find emergency accommodation for the family, support Kate to link in with Centrelink to access financial assistance and provide clothing, toys, toiletries and food to the family.
Over the next few months, Family Violence Services supported Kate to obtain long-term safe housing, link the family with health services and legal support and the children in with schooling and childcare.
At the end of the support period the family was thriving. They were living in safe and stable accommodation, while the children were attending school and child care. Kate was able to secure a job, which gave her a steady income and they were beginning to recover from the impact of the violence they had experienced.