You’re not alone, support is available

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, help is available.
You deserve to be safe.

If you are in immediate danger, call 000.

24/7 Support Services

These services are available any time and can help you plan your next steps:

Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre (24/7)

If you are seeking safe refuge,

please call.

1800 015 188

If you don't feel safe to use the telephone or prefer texting, Safe Steps offers LiveChat from 9am - midnight, Monday to Friday. https://safesteps.org.au/live-chat/

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1800RESPECT

(family violence, sexual assault and abuse counselling)

1800 737 732

Kids Helpline

(ages 5 - 25)

1800 551 800

Lifeline

13 11 14

If English is not your first language, these services can provide interpreters.

Help and Resources

Safety planning

Safety planning is a process that helps you think about ways to stay safer — whether you are living with violence, planning to leave, or have already left.

A safety plan can help you consider:

How to improve safety for you and your children
What to do in an emergency
How to stay safer at home, work, school and in the community
How to protect your privacy, devices and location
What to take with you if you need to leave quickly

The best way to create a safety plan is with support from a trusted person or a specialist service like Safe Steps or 1800RESPECT, who can help you develop a plan that suits your situation.

Help and Resources

Keeping children safe

Children are affected by family violence, even if they don't see if directly.

You many wish to:

Talk to children (in age-appropriate ways) about safety and what to do if they feel scared
Crate a code word so children know when to go somewhere safe or get help
Teach children how to call 000 and practice what to say
Identify safe neighbours, friends or family children can go to in an emergency
Talk with children about safer use of phones, social media and online spaces

Help and Resources

Planning to leave

Leaving a violent relationship can be difficult and may take time. You don’t have to do it all at once.

Practical steps that may help:

Contact a family violence service for confidential support
Use private browsing or clear your browser history
Consider getting a new phone and SIM card
Keep your bank details private or open a new account if safe to do so
Use a public or trusted computer if needed
Keep a small bag packed and stored somewhere safe
Decide who you would contact in an emergency

What to take if you need to leave quickly. If it’s safe to do so, you may want to take:

Money (cash and cards)
Keys, phone and charger
Medications and prescriptions
Important documents (ID, birth certificates, Medicare, Centrelink, visas)
School and medical records
Lease, insurance or tenancy documents
Items that are important to you or your children

If you can’t take these items, don’t worry — services can help you replace them. Your safety comes first.

Help and Resources

After you leave

Technology and privacy

Change passwords and privacy settings carefully
Turn off location sharing and GPS where possible
Consider checking devices for spyware
Set social media accounts to private

Safety at home, work and school

Let trusted people know what’s happening
Consider applying for a Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO)
Share FVIO details with workplaces, schools and carers
Change locks, improve lighting or security if staying at home
Go to public or busy places if you feel unsafe

How Emerge can help

Emerge provides trauma-informed support to women and children impacted by family violence, including crisis accommodation, outreach, case management, therapeutic support and early intervention for children.

For general information and enquiries phone 1300 536 330.

Office hours: 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday.

If you are seeking safe refuge, please contact Safe Steps (1800 015 188) for assistance.

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