Violence against women and gender diverse people is a global public health issue with serious consequences for health and wellbeing. This violence is often based on inequality and harmful attitudes and norms about gender, sexuality and power. Men are most commonly the perpetrators of physical violence, sexual harassment and sexual violence
Everyone deserves to live with safety, dignity and freedom.
Violence used by men against women and gender diverse people is often referred to as gender-based violence, domestic violence, family violence or sexual violence. You can learn more about gender-based violence here.
Many women and gender diverse people experience some form of gender-based violence across their lifetimes. These forms of violence may include:
• sexual violence
• sexual harassment
• domestic violence
• family violence
• violence by carers or within institutions
Gender-based violence is a major cause of illness and disability for women and gender diverse people. Unfortunately, many people do not have access to the support or safety needed to recover and heal from gender-based violence. But this can be changed.
Together with many others, Women’s Health Matters works to help prevent violence and create a supportive community for victim survivors.
Please contact our voices@womenshealthmatters.org.au if you would like to speak to someone about our work on gender-based violence.
In an emergency, or if you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call the police now on 000.
If you are not in an emergency but need anonymous support or information for you or someone you know, please contact any of the services listed below.
24/7 crisis intervention support for anyone impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence in the ACT.
Phone: 02 6280 0900
Web: www.dvcs.org.au
Crisis phone lines, counselling and advocacy services for anyone impacted by sexual violence in the ACT between 7am and 11pm, seven days a week.
Phone: 02 6247 2525
Web: www.crcc.org.au
The main access point for referral, triage and intake to urgent housing and homelessness supports
Phone: 1800 176 468
Web: www.salvationarmy.org.au/about-us/our-services/first-canberra
Free, confidential, non-judgemental support for women and non-binary people and their families experiencing domestic and family violence, between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
Phone: 02 6185 2000
Web: www.ywca-canberra.org.au/community-service/domestic-violence-support/
24/7 support for anyone impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence, anywhere in Australia.
Phone: 1800 737 732
Web: www.1800respect.org.au
24/7 support for anyone feeling suicidal in the ACT.
Phone: 1300 659 467
24/7 immediate help for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis in the ACT.
Phone: 1800 629 354
Support for members of LGBTQ+ communities (and their supporters) impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence, anywhere in Australia.
Phone: 1800 497 212
Counselling, information and referral service for men looking to change their behaviour, anywhere in Australia.
Phone: 1300 766 491
Web: ntv.org.au
24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, across Australia.
Phone: 13 92 76
Web: www.13yarn.org.au
24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Phone: 13 11 14
Web: www.lifeline.org.au
