Where to go for help

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic and/or family violence you can visit your local health service and talk to your health worker to find out what support services such as your local legal aid service are available to you. If you are not ready to talk to someone face-to-face, there are several confidential services you can call for advice such as:

• Beyond Blue 1300 224 636

• Lifeline 13 11 14

• Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service 1800 887 700

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service 1800 012 255

• DVConnect Womensline 1800 811 811

• DVConnect Mensline 1800 600 636

• Elder Abuse Helpline 1300 651 192

• Synapse 1300 651 192

If you feel comfortable, speak with police or an Indigenous Liaison Officer and report the abuse. You can ask to apply for a Domestic Violence Order (protection order). The police can put the order through if you want, or you can apply directly to the court yourself and have a legal aid worker help you. It is important to remember if someone breaches the DVO to call police straight away for your own safety.

Domestic and family violence is not easy to escape from; it takes time and a lot of support from family and friends and sometimes support agencies. But there is hope. No one should live in fear. There is no shame in reaching out.