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Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

The Royal Commission was established on 11 January 2013 and is now in an intensive period of planning. If you need support or advice, a list of services that can assist you are provided below.

Reporting child sexual abuse to authorities

Child abuse is a crime. If you have been a victim of abuse, or are concerned about a child being abused, you should report your concerns to local police.

National help and counselling services

Service Name	Description	Contact
1800 RESPECT	24-hour sexual assault and domestic violence support	1800 737 732
Adults Surviving Child Abuse	counselling and support for survivors	1300 657 380
beyondblue	mental health support	1300 224 636
Bravehearts	counselling for survivors and child protection advocacy	1800 272 831
Care Leavers Australia Network	support and advocacy for Forgotten Australians	1800 008 774
Child Migrants Trust	Social work services, including counselling and support for family reunions	1800 04 05 09
Find and Connect	Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants	1800 161 109
Headspace	Mental health support for young people - (website and drop in centres only)	N/A
Lifeline	24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention	13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service	24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention	1300 659 467

State and Territory help and counselling services

Australian Capital Territory

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre	Provide services and programs to eliminate sexual violence against women, young people, children and men.	(02) 6247 2525
Victims of Crime ACT	Provide support to people who have experienced domestic and family violence or sexual assault	1800 822 272
Australian Federal Police Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team	Qualified police trained to assist with responding to allegations of child abuse	(02) 6256 7777

New South Wales

NSW Rape Crisis Centre	24/7 telephone and online crisis counselling service for anyone in Australia who has experienced or is at risk of sexual assault.	1800 424 017
Victims Access Line	Single entry point for Victims of Crime in NSW to assist them in accessing services	1800 633 063
Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN)	Runs workshops and events for men surviving child sexual abuse	0479 195 756

Northern Territory

Northern Territory Crisis Line	Sexual assault support service (Hotline only)	1800 019 116
Sexual Assault Referral Centre	Provide a range of services including counselling to both adults and children who may have experienced (recently or many years ago) any form of sexual assault	(08) 8922 6472

Queensland

Victims Counselling and Support Services

24 hour telephone based information and referral service

1300 139 703

South Australia

Respond SA	Commitment to provide effective support to adults who have been subjected to childhood sexual abuse	(08) 8223 4566
After Hours Crisis Care	An after hours crisis service provided by qualified Families SA social workers	13 16 11

Tasmania

Victims Support Services	Provides a range of information and support services	1300 300 238
Centre Against Sexual Assault	Free and confidential services to men, women and children who have been affected by sexual assault or rape at sometime in their lives	(03) 6431 9711
Sexual Assault Support Service	Community based service committed to providing high quality support and information services to survivors of sexual assault	(03) 6231 1817
Laurel House (North)	Free and confidential services to men, women and children who have been affected by sexual assault or rape at some time in their lives	(03) 6334 2740

Victoria

Victoria Sexual Assault Crisis Line	After hours telephone crisis counselling support, information, advocacy and referral to anyone living in Victoria who has experienced any form of sexual assault at any point in their lives.	1800 806 292
Victims of Crime Helpline	Provides information, advice and referrals to help victims manage the effects of crime.	1800 819 817
The Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria	Assistance to victims of family violence and sexual assault	1800 105 303

Western Australia

Western Australia Sexual Assault Resource Centre	Provides high-quality care for females and males, 13 years and over, who have been affected by sexual assault or sexual abuse	1800 199 888
Victim Support and Child Witness Service	Provides free, confidential services for all victims of crime	1800 818 988

Getting involved in the Royal Commission

People wanting to provide evidence or find out more information about the Royal Commission can provide their contact details on 1800 099 340. Staff from the Royal Commission will contact callers once the Commissioners have established key processes for the operation of the Royal Commission.