Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse Support
The National Survivors Foundation Casework team is available Monday to Friday, during which times we are available on 1300 12 44 33 or hello@survivors.org.au
In an Emergency:
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger
For 24 hours, 7 days a week support:
Beyond Blue Support Service
Provides immediate advice and support on depression and anxiety.
Call 1300 224 636
FULL STOP Australia
Full Stop Australia is one of the country’s leading sexual, domestic and family violence response and recovery services.
Call 1800 385 578
MensLine Australia
A counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns of any kind.
Call 1300 78 99 78
Suicide Call Back Service
Provides counselling to people who are affected by suicide.
Call 1300 659 467
www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Lifeline Crisis Support
A confidential telephone crisis support service for anyone needing crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Call 13 11 14
Blue Knot Helpline
Monday to Sunday 9am–5pm AEDT
The Blue Knot Helpline trauma counsellors give specialised support to Survivors.
Call 1300 657 380
Finding sexual assault and sexual abuse support
If you have experienced sexual assault or sexual abuse, you deserve to be heard, respected and supported. Whether it happened recently or many years ago, you can seek help.
Finding support can feel overwhelming, and it is okay to start with a question. You do not need to have the right words or share everything at once. Specialist services can help you explore options for counselling, practical assistance, medical care and information about reporting.
You can seek support even if you have not reported what happened to police. The services linked on this page offer different kinds of help, so you can find a starting point that feels right for you.
Support for adults who experienced childhood sexual abuse
It is never too late to seek support for childhood sexual abuse. Whether you have spoken about your experience before or are considering reaching out for the first time, you deserve care and understanding. What happened was not your fault.
Specialist support can offer space to talk, explore the impacts of abuse and consider what would help you now. You may be looking for counselling, practical assistance, connection with other Survivors or information about justice and redress.
If the abuse happened in an institution, such as a school, religious organisation, children’s home or sporting organisation; National Survivors Foundation can help you explore available support and options.
How National Survivors Foundation can help
National Survivors Foundation (NSF) supports Survivors, families and communities impacted by institutional abuse. Our approach centres your voice, needs and choices.
Our services include casework, advocacy, information about justice pathways, assistance with the National Redress Scheme, and referrals to counselling and other supports. You can contact us to discuss your circumstances and find out which services may be available to you.
Call 1300 12 44 33, Monday to Friday, or email hello@survivors.org.au
Learn more about NSF’s support services.
Support for families and supporters
Supporting someone who has experienced sexual assault or sexual abuse can bring questions and emotions of your own. Families, friends, partners and carers may also benefit from information and support.
Start by listening without judgement. Let the person know you believe them and that what happened was not their fault. Respect their choices about what they share and what they want to do next, without pressing for details.
You do not need to have every answer. Full Stop Australia can provide information and support to people supporting someone affected by sexual violence. You can also contact NSF to ask about support relating to institutional abuse.
Urgent and after-hours support
If you have recently experienced sexual assault, a hospital or specialist sexual assault service can help you access medical care and discuss your options. You will find all the support services details at the top of this page.
For support outside NSF’s weekday availability, please use the services above.
Finding services in your state or territory
Wherever you live in Australia, support is available for people impacted by sexual assault and sexual abuse. You may be looking for counselling, practical assistance or help understanding your options.
Full Stop Australia provides free, confidential, trauma-specialist counselling for people impacted by sexual, domestic and family violence, as well as their families, friends and supporters. Their counsellors can also provide information and referrals to help you find further support, including services in your state or territory.
Call 1800 FULL STOP (1800 385 578), available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit Full Stop Australia to explore their services.
You do not need to know which service you need before reaching out. You can start by talking about what support you are looking for.
Can I seek support if the abuse happened many years ago?
Yes. You can seek support whether the abuse happened recently or many years ago. There is no right time to reach out, and you do not need to have spoken about your experience before.
Childhood sexual abuse and institutional abuse can affect people at different stages of life. Your experience matters, regardless of how much time has passed.
You can contact National Survivors Foundation to discuss your circumstances and explore the support options that may be available. You do not need to have everything worked out before getting in touch.
What happens when I contact NSF?
Getting in touch is an opportunity to ask questions, explain what you need and find out how National Survivors Foundation may be able to help.
You can start with as little information as you feel comfortable sharing. You do not need to give a detailed account of the abuse in your first enquiry.
Our team can discuss your needs, explain relevant support options and talk through possible next steps with you. You can also ask how your information will be handled, including any limits to confidentiality, before deciding what to share.
Can a family member or support person contact NSF?
Yes. A family member, friend, carer or support person can contact National Survivors Foundation to ask for general information about our services and how to support someone who has experienced abuse.
If you are contacting us on someone else’s behalf, please respect their privacy and choices. You can begin with a general enquiry without sharing their name or details of their experience.
Our team can explain what consent is needed before discussing someone’s circumstances or involving you in their support. The Survivor’s wishes, safety and control over their own decisions remain central.
National Survivors’ Day is an initiative of National Survivors Foundation. To learn about the Foundation’s support services and who can access them, visit the National Survivors Foundation website.