Domestic and family violence and sexual assault support services

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence, there are free and confidential services available to support you and your loved ones. This includes for people who are at risk of – or who are already using – controlling and violent behaviours.

If you're in a life-threatening or urgent situation, phone Triple Zero (000) and ask for the police.
For non-urgent police attendance phone 131 444.

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Experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence

Domestic, family and sexual violence can happen to anyone, regardless of the country they are from, religion, sexuality, gender, age, social background or culture.

There are different types of domestic, family and sexual violence and they are not always physical. Domestic, family and sexual violence is a pattern of behaviour, to gain power and control. No matter what your relationship to someone is, domestic, family and sexual violence is never okay.

Learn more about the different forms of domestic, family and sexual violence on the Department of Human Services website.

If you are experiencing violence from an ex-partner, you can remove their permission to receive or access information about you from agencies and organisations to help keep yourself safe. For more information, you can access the guides from the Office for Women:

Suppression of Personal Details Information Guide (PDF 403.4 KB)

Suppression of Personal Details Checklist (PDF 214.9 KB)

Visit 1800RESPECT if you are unsure if you, or someone you know, is experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence.

Women

• Call the 24-hour Domestic Violence Crisis Line on 1800 800 098 for crisis counselling, support and referral to safe accommodation.
• 1800RESPECT - phone 1800 737 732 for sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling.
• Women's Information Service - phone 8303 0590 for referrals to domestic violence services and for safety information.
• The bilingual bicultural staff of Migrant Women's Support Program (MWSP) work with migrant women and children of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds in unsafe relationships - phone 8152 9260 or contact@womenssafetyservices.com.au, Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Pregnancy

Information about domestic violence and pregnancy and a list of support services available in South Australia - Women's and Children's Health Network.

Sexual assault

• Yarrow Place - phone 8226 8777 or toll-free 1800 817 421 (after hours 8226 8787) for services for rape and sexual assault victims.
• 1800RESPECT - phone 1800 737 732 for sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling.

Men

• MensLine Australia - phone 1300 78 99 78 to manage conflict and anger, relationship issues and violence in the home.
• 1800RESPECT - phone 1800 737 732 for sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling.
• Men's Referral Service - phone 1300 766 491 - works with men who use family violence, and the sector that supports them to change their abusive and violent behaviour.

Everyone

• Full Stop Australia - phone 1800 385 578 to speak with a trauma-specialist counsellor or webchat at fullstop.org.au. 1800 FULL STOP is available 24/7 for anyone in Australia impacted by sexual, domestic or family violence including victim-survivors, loved ones and support professionals
• My Blue Sky - phone (02) 9514 8115, text 0481 070 844 for a free and confidential service that provides free legal and migration support to people experiencing forced marriage and other forms of modern slavery in Australia. You can also text and chat online.

Teenagers

• Kids Helpline - phone 1800 55 1800 for a free and confidential counselling service for young people from 5-25
• The Line - information about healthy relationships
• Services, support lines and resources for teens - Women's and Children's Health Network.

LGBTI

• QLife services are free and include both telephone and webchat support, delivered by trained LGBTI community members across the country - phone 1800 184 527 or webchat counselling service for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people, families and friends from 3:00 pm to midnight
• Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Service Help Line - phone 1800 497 212 for a free and confidential service that supports LGBTIQA+ people impacted by sexual, family and/or domestic violence
• LGBTQIA+ Domestic and Family Violence Service - phone 7078 4128 Provides counselling and case management support for LGBTIQA+ people aged 18 and over who have experienced domestic and family violence within the last 2 years
• Shine SA - With Respect - phone 8300 5300 - Provides free professional and specialised counselling and support for LGBTIQA+ people over the age of 16 who have been impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.

Seniors

• Adult Safeguarding Unit - 1800 372 310
• Help and advice for seniors
• Aged Rights Advocacy Service - promoting and protecting the rights of older people
• 1800 ELDERHelp - phone 1800 353 374 for a free call phone number that automatically redirects callers seeking information and advice on elder abuse with the phone service in their state or territory.

Legal support

• Legal Services Commission of South Australia - phone 1300 366 424 for free preliminary legal information, advice and referrals, help with intervention and tenancy orders.
• Women's Legal Service - phone 8231 8929 for free legal advice and information.
• Women’s Domestic Violence Court Assistance Service provides legal help across South Australia - phone 1800 246 642 or visit the website.
• Victim support groups - organisations that offer help to victims of crime.

Related information

On this site

• Making a domestic violence disclosure request
• Residential tenancy protection for people experiencing domestic violence

Other websites

• Domestic violence - SA Police
• Forms of domestic violence - Women's Safety Services SA