Ending Sexual Violence Hub
Crisis care response
A victim survivor who has experienced a recent sexual assault (less than two weeks in the past) can self-refer or be supported to access a specialist sexual assault service crisis care response depending on their needs.
There are multiple entry points where someone can access to a crisis care response. Each entry point converges to provide a crisis response that can include information around justice options, medical assistance, counselling support and advocacy and other options depending on the needs of the survivor.
This visual journey illustrates points of intersection where family violence can be identified and assessed.
Common entry points for
crisis care response
Victim survivor presents to the emergency department
A victim survivor may present directly to the hospital emergency department or call 000 and request medical assistance after experiencing a recent sexual assault. They may also contact emergency services because they are not sure where else to go.
Hospital staff triage victim survivor and conduct medical assessment
Staff in the hospital's emergency department will conduct a medical assessment and see to any medical needs of the victim survivors.
Potential to identify family violence risk
While engaging with the victim survivor, practitioners, police and hospital staff will all screen for current family violence risk. If there is active family violence risk, they will liaise with a family violence organisation such as Safesteps, The Orange Door and/or a local family violence to make a referral.
Victim survivor is supported to make an initial disclosure to SOCIT
The victim survivor will be informed about consent and the reporting process to investigate a sexual offences crime.
The can include coordination a crisis care response with a local specialist sexual assault service and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.
Victim survivor is supported through an intake assessment
A counsellor advocate from a local specialist sexual assault sector will conduct an initial assessment that helps identify any immediate needs, establish risk and safety currently for a victim survivor.
They will check for any support needs such as communication and accessibility needs for a victim survivor and build rapport to provide non-judgemental support throughout the initial assessment.
A counsellor advocate will also conduct a risk assessment and establish current physical and emotional safety, which can include screening for pain and injuries which may need medical attention.
Potential to identify family violence risk
While engaging with the victim survivor, the counsellor advocate will screen for current family violence risk. If there is active family violence risk, the counsellor advocate will liaise with a family violence organisation such as Safesteps, The Orange Door and/or a local family violence to make a referral.
To find local specialist sexual assault service see SASVic’s service map: peak.sasvic.org.au/servicemap
To contact the after-hours Sexual Assault Crisis Line (between 5pm – 9am each weekday and on weekends and public holidays) call 1800 806 292.
With informed consent, hospital staff may consult with local specialist sexual assault service.
Upon medical clearance, hospital staff can discuss with the victim survivor if they would like support from a specialist sexual assault counselor advocate. With informed consent, hospital will contact a specialist sexual assault service or SACL.
To find local specialist sexual assault service see SASVic’s service map: peak.sasvic.org.au/servicemap
To contact the after-hours Sexual Assault Crisis Line (between 5pm – 9am each weekday and on weekends and pubic holidays) call 1800 806 292.
Victim survivor calls a specialist sexual assault service or the Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL)
A victim survivor of a recent sexual assault may make their first contact with a specialist sexual assault service by phone. Sometimes third parties make the initial call on their behalf, such as family and friends, a police member or a health professional. If a third party calls, the specialist sexual assault counsellor advocate (CA) will provide information and support to the caller and will also request to speak directly to the victim survivor.
To find local specialist sexual assault service see SASVic’s service map: peak.sasvic.org.au/servicemap
To contact the after-hours Sexual Assault Crisis Line (between 5pm – 9am each weekday and on weekends and pubic holidays) call 1800 806 292.
Victim survivor is supported through an intake assessment
A counsellor advocate from a local specialist sexual assault sector will conduct an initial assessment that helps identify any immediate needs, establish risk and safety currently for a victim survivor.
They will check for any support needs such as communication and accessibility needs for a victim survivor and build rapport to provide non-judgemental support throughout the initial assessment.
A counsellor advocate will also conduct a risk assessment and establish current physical and emotional safety, which can include screening for pain and injuries which may need medical attention.
Potential to identify family violence risk
While engaging with the victim survivor, the counsellor advocate will screen for current family violence risk. If there is active family violence risk, the counsellor advocate will liaise with a family violence organisation such as Safesteps, The Orange Door and/or a local family violence to make a referral.
To find local specialist sexual assault service see SASVic’s service map: peak.sasvic.org.au/servicemap
To contact the after-hours Sexual Assault Crisis Line (between 5pm – 9am each weekday and on weekends and public holidays) call 1800 806 292.
Victim survivor is supported to make an initial disclosure to SOCIT
The victim survivor will be informed about consent and the reporting process to investigate a sexual offences crime.
The can include coordination a crisis care response with a local specialist sexual assault service and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.
Hospital staff triage victim survivor and conduct medical assessment
Staff in the hospital's emergency department will conduct a medical assessment and see to any medical needs of the victim survivors.
Potential to identify family violence risk
While engaging with the victim survivor, practitioners, police and hospital staff will all screen for current family violence risk. If there is active family violence risk, they will liaise with a family violence organisation such as Safesteps, The Orange Door and/or a local family violence to make a referral.
Victim survivor is supported to access a crisis care response
Dependent on the needs of the victim survivor, and with informed consent, a counsellor advocate will support a victim survivor to attend a crisis care unit or multidisciplinary centre.
These centres can provide a victim survivor with forensic medical options and reporting options in addition to crisis counselling.
A counsellor advocate will be present with the victim survivor and offer advocacy and support during this process.
Following these steps, a counsellor advocate will conduct an options talk with a victim survivor. An options talk will provide victim survivors with options for further support, including:
Medical – booking follow up appointments with GP etc.
Legal – reporting options including to police (SOCIT).
Further support – specialist sexual assault counselling, advocacy and support.
Victim survivor presents to a police station or calls 000
A victim survivor who has experienced a recent sexual assault may present to or call their local police station or call 000.
When a victim survivor speaks with a Victoria Police Member they will screen for unmet medical needs or injuries and if there are none they will take the initial disclosure and refer on to the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigations Team (SOCIT).
Visit the Victoria Police website for more information about SOCIT.
Victim survivor is supported to make an initial disclosure to SOCIT
The victim survivor will be informed about consent and the reporting process to investigate a sexual offences crime.
The can include coordination a crisis care response with a local specialist sexual assault service and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.
Victim survivor is supported through an intake assessment
A counsellor advocate from a local specialist sexual assault sector will conduct an initial assessment that helps identify any immediate needs, establish risk and safety currently for a victim survivor.
They will check for any support needs such as communication and accessibility needs for a victim survivor and build rapport to provide non-judgemental support throughout the initial assessment.
A counsellor advocate will also conduct a risk assessment and establish current physical and emotional safety, which can include screening for pain and injuries which may need medical attention.
Potential to identify family violence risk
While engaging with the victim survivor, the counsellor advocate will screen for current family violence risk. If there is active family violence risk, the counsellor advocate will liaise with a family violence organisation such as Safesteps, The Orange Door and/or a local family violence to make a referral.
To find local specialist sexual assault service see SASVic’s service map: peak.sasvic.org.au/servicemap
To contact the after-hours Sexual Assault Crisis Line (between 5pm – 9am each weekday and on weekends and public holidays) call 1800 806 292.
Hospital staff triage victim survivor and conduct medical assessment
Staff in the hospital's emergency department will conduct a medical assessment and see to any medical needs of the victim survivors.
Potential to identify family violence risk
While engaging with the victim survivor, practitioners, police and hospital staff will all screen for current family violence risk. If there is active family violence risk, they will liaise with a family violence organisation such as Safesteps, The Orange Door and/or a local family violence to make a referral.
SOCIT informs victim survivor of options including crisis care response
SOCIT, with consent from the victim survivor, can coordinate a crisis care response that includes a local specialist sexual assault service and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.
*Refer to the specialist sexual assault/SACL pathway for the role of sexual assault services in a crisis care response.
Potential to identify family violence risk
While SOCIT conduct their investigation, they are screening for both family violence and sexual violence risk. If there is family violence risk, SOCIT will liaise with a family violence organisation such as Safesteps, The Orange Door and/or a local family violence to make a referral.
Visit the Victoria Police website for more information about SOCIT.
To find local specialist sexual assault service see SASVic’s service map: peak.sasvic.org.au/servicemap
Victim survivor selects next steps through informed decision-making
Victim survivor chooses support and follow up from local specialist sexual assault service
Local specialist sexual assault service contacts victim survivor to provide a follow up risk assessment, and support
A counsellor advocate will provide information on options once again.
A victim survivor can choose to engage with any of these options or none. They can also choose to engage at a later time. If they choose to engage at a later time, they will be provided with all relevant information.
To find a local specialist sexual assault service in Victoria visit SASVic's service map.
To call SACL, the number is 1800 806 292.
Victim survivors choose to engage in further counselling, advocacy and support
Victim survivor chooses not to access specialist sexual assault services at this time
Victim survivor makes an informed decision not to access specialist sexual assault support service when and if they choose to. This decision does not exclude them for service in the future.
A counsellor advocate provides the victim survivor with information on how to access a specialist sexual assault service if they choose to access support at an alternate time.
For the best user experience of our crisis care response pathway, we recommend you use a desktop or wide screen monitor to view this page. Click the image below to download a PDF of the pathway.
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