What To Do If You Have Been Sexually Assaulted
For all emergencies please call 000
Australian Federal Police on 11 444
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (02) 6247 2525. 24 hours, 7 days a week for counselling, support, information or advocacy.
Deaf Community TTY (02) 6287 4308 during business hours
National Relay Service (NRS) 13 2544 or Freecall 1800 067 167
Telephone Interpreter Service 131 450 (available for people for whom English is a second language)
If you intend to report the assault to the police they advise you not to shower, clean your teeth or change your clothing. Making an initial report does not mean you have to go ahead with the process. It is up to you.
Getting Help
If you have been raped you can phone the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre 24 hours a day on (02) 6247 2525. CRCC is available for any woman, or child who has experienced any form of sexual abuse (adult rape, childhood sexual abuse, ritual abuse or sexual harassment) whether it is a recent assault or an assault that happened years ago.
CRCC is staffed by specially trained workers. These services are free and confidential. Rape Crisis workers can accompany women and children to the Australian Federal Police Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team (SACAT) if they wish to report the rape to the police. You can also contact the police directly on 11 444.
Crisis phone counsellors will put adult male survivors in contact with SAMSSA (Services Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault) who can support them if they want to report an assault to the police. You can use the Rape Crisis services without reporting the assault to the police. There are also other places you can get supportive counselling for rape in the ACT. A list of these services is included on this web site.
Refuges and Accommodation
ACT Disability Aged and Carer Advocacy Service (ADACAS)
Contact: 6242 5060 (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri)
6242 5065 (TTY)
Women and Children
For information on refuge accommodation and for immediate assistance in a domestic violence crisis situation phone:
Domestic Violence Crisis Service [DVCS]
6248 7800 (24 hours).
Beryl Women’s Refuge
6247 5689 (24 hours)
Doris Women’s Refuge
6241 7028 (24 hours)
Inanna Women’s Refuge
6295 3323 (24 hours)
Toora Single Wimmin’s Shelter
6247 2399 (24 hours)
Caroline Chisholm Women’s Refuge
6286 2173 (24 hours)
Louisa Queanbeyan Women’s Refuge
6299 4799 (24 hours)
Transit Flat Program – Northside
6249 1113
Women’s Housing Program – Weston Creek
288 3038 or 6288 4744 (Business Hours)
Gunyah Women’s Housing Scheme (Queanbeyan)
6297 5827 (9am to 5pm, Mon -Thur)
Young Women
Lowana Young Women’s Service
6231 3297 (24 hours)
YWCA of Canberra
6239 6878 (Business Hours)
Young Men
George Lloyd House
6288 4484 (24 hours)
Mary’s Place
6299 1619 (24 hours)
Mobile 0418 634 763
Young People
Community Housing for Young People
6262 8055 (Mon-Fri 9-5)
Canberra Youth Refuge
6247 0330 (24 hours)
Castlereagh House (Medium term accommodation)
6251 2869 (Not staffed 24 hours)
LASA Youth Centre
6288 6248 (24 hours) or 6288 6383
Southside Youth Refuge
6231 2221 (24 hours)
Tumladden
6231 3475 (Business Hours)
Queanbeyan Youth Resources
6297 6443 (Admin)
6297 2651 (Info line 24 hours)
Barnardos Australia Young Mum’s and Family Support Program
6241 5466 (24 hours)
Marymead Child and Family Centre
6295 2755 (24 hours)
Family
Marymead Child and Family Centre
6295 2755 (24 hours)