If you are being abused – keep yourself safe…

If you are being abused and you are not ready to leave, there are things you can do to improve yours and your children’s safety.

The first thing is to develop a plan for yourself and the children about what to do if you feel threatened in any situation – at home, school and when you are out. Write it down or just think it through. Role play and practice the plan so you remember it.

Women’s Refuge advocates can support you and help you with everything that is listed here. They can still help you while you are living with the violent person.

Things to include in your plan:

• Find out the emergency numbers you may need – Police, Women’s Refuge, doctor, lawyer, school, friends and family. Keep these with you.
• Find yourself a support person – a friend, Refuge advocate, community worker etc. who you can talk to.
• If possible get a mobile phone and keep it with you. Even a pre-paid mobile phone with no money on it can be used to call Emergency 000.
• If it’s safe, you could apply for a violence restraining order (see a Women’s Refuge or your lawyer for advice).


"Twelve months ago I would have never considered something like this, I would have been like “no way I’m not talking to no strangers, you know, I’ll fix it myself.” But I’m coming around a bit more and I think I trust people a bit more." - Trevor

• Tell your friends and neighbours, let them know that you have fears for your safety. Ask them to watch out and ring the police if they hear anything. You could set up a code that will tell  the neighbours you are in trouble e.g. ring, hanging up, ring again.
• Tell the abuser, friends and family that you are not going to put up with the violence.
• Get your own house and car keys.
• Open your own bank account and try to save some money.
• If you have no money, you may be able to get a benefit. If you are in a violent relationship and your partner is not supporting you financially or emotionally, then you may be able to apply for a benefit as though you were single. Talk to a Centrelink customer services officer.
• Photocopy personal documents and keep them with you.

The above was taken from Fresh Start a self-help book for Western Australian women in abusive relationships. For a copy of this book contact Pat Giles Centre (08) 9300 0340

ACT

Police: 000 (in an emergency) or 131 444 (for enquiries/advice)
Ambulance: 000

For information, counselling, support and access to safe accommodation contact:
Domestic Violence Crisis Centre (24 hrs) – 6280 0900 / 6247 2525

For sexual assault counselling contact:
Rape Crisis Centre (24hrs) – 6247 2525

New South Wales

Police: 000 (in an emergency) or 131 444 (for enquiries/advice)
Ambulance: 000

For support, information, referral and accommodation contact:
Domestic Violence Line (24 hrs) - 1800 656 463 / 1800 671 442

For sexual assault counselling contact:
Rape Crisis Centre (24hrs) – 9819 6565 / 1800 424 017
Dympna House (Mon-Fri) – 1800 654 119 / 9797 6733

Northern Territory

Police: 000 (in an emergency) or 131 444 (for enquiries/advice)
Ambulance: 000

For crisis accommodation and support for women and children escaping domestic and family violence contact:
Dawn House (24 hr) – 08 8945 1388

For domestic violence counselling, support and information contact:
Lifeline – 1800 019 116
Domestic Violence Counselling Service (Mon-Fri, 9-5pm) – Darwin: 8945 6200

or Alice Springs: 8952 6048

For sexual assault counselling, support and information contact:
Ruby Gaea House (Mon-Fri, 8.30-5pm) – 08 8945 0155
Sexual Assault Referral Centre (24 hr) – 08 8922 7156

Queensland

Police: 000 (in an emergency) or 131 444 (for enquiries/advice)
Ambulance: 000

For crisis accommodation, counselling or support contact:
Domestic Violence Telephone Service DV Connect – 1800 811 811 or TTY: 1800 812 225

For advocacy, information and crisis support contact:
Brisbane Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (Mon-Fri, 9-4.45pm) – 3217 2544

For sexual assault counselling and support you can contact:
Brisbane Rape and Incest Survivors Support Centre – 3391 0004 or 1800 242 526

For domestic violence and sexual assault support and information for women from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds contact:
Immigrant Women’s Support Service (Mon-Fri, 9-5pm) – 9386 3490 (for domestic violence) or 3846 5400 (for sexual assault)

South Australia

Police: 000 (in an emergency) or 131 444 (for enquiries/advice)
Ambulance: 000

For counselling, support and referral to crisis accommodation contact:
Domestic Violence Crisis Service (24hr) – 1300 782 200
Crisis Care - 131 611

For telephone counselling and support for people who have experienced and perpetrated domestic and family violence contact:
Domestic Violence Helpline (24hr) – 1800 800 098

Tasmania

Police: 000 (in an emergency) or 131 444 (for enquiries/advice)
Ambulance: 000

For crisis accommodation, information and referral contact:
Domestic Violence Crisis Service (Mon-Fri, 9-Midnight; and Sat-Sun, 4pm-Midnight)
North 6233 2529 or 1800 633 937
Statewide 1800 608 122

For counselling and support contact:
SHE (Support, Help and Empowerment) (Hobart) - 6278 9090
Yemaya: Women’s Support Service (Launceston) – 6334 0305

For sexual assault counselling contact:
Sexual Assault Support Service –     Hobart and Southern 6231 1811 or 6231 1817 (after hours)
Launceston 634 2740
North West 6431 9711

Victoria

Police: 000 or 9247 6666 (for central police)
Ambulance: 000

For crisis accommodation, support, information and referral contact:
Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service of Victoria (24hr) – 9373 0123 or 1800 015 188

For sexual assault counselling support and information contact:
Centre Against Sexual Assault (24hr) – 1800 806 292

Support for Immigrant women who are victims of domestic and family violence:
Immigrant Women’s Domestic Violence Service (Mon-Fri, 9-5pm) – 9898 3145

For information, support and referral contact:
Women’s Information and Referral Exchange (Mon-Fri, 9-5pm) – 1300 134 130

Western Australia

Police: 000 (in an emergency) or 131 444 (for enquiries/advice)
Ambulance: 000

For referral to crisis accommodation, information and support contact:
Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services – 9420 7264 (9am – 3pm)
Salvo Care Line (24 hrs) – 9442 5777 (metro) / 1800 198 313 (country)
Crisis Care (24 hrs) – 9223 1111 (metro) / 1800 199 008 (country)

Helplines - provide information, referral and telephone counselling:
Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline – 9223 1188 / 1800 007 339
Men’s Domestic Violence Helpline – 9223 1199 / 1800 000 599
Kids Help Line add – 1800 55 1800

For sexual assault counselling, support and information contact:
Sexual Assault Resource Centre (24hr) – 9340 1828 or 1800 199 888 (country)

Support, information and referral for women from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds contact:
Multicultural Women’s Advocacy Centre – 9328 1200 or 9227 8122

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