CASAs and other sexual assault services are continuing to provide essential support to clients whilst introducing new ways for people to access services during this challenging time.
The global COVID-19 pandemic is a time of great uncertainty that is having a significant effect on everyone, including our clients and those seeking assistance in relation to sexual assault and violence.
CASAs and other sexual assault services are continuing to provide essential support to clients whilst introducing new ways for people to access services during this challenging time. It is important that we all stay as healthy, well and supported as we can.
Arrangements have been made to continue to provide counselling, crisis services and support services via face to face sessions, online sessions and telephone.
To contact your nearest Centre Against Sexual Assault or sexual assault service in Victoria phone the Sexual Assault Crisis Line on 1800 806 292, or Australia phone 1800 737 732.
You can also continue to contact your local service by telephone or email – details can be found here.
The Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1800 806 292 will continue to operate as usual, and crisis care responses are continuing with health screening in place.
You can find information and useful advice on the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website including how to reduce risk of contracting coronavirus, and symptoms of coronavirus.
You can call the Department of Health and Human Service’s dedicated hotline on 1800 675 398 – 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you develop symptoms, or have concerns about your health.
We recommend that the Victorian Government fund SASVic to:
-
develop a statewide sexual violence crisis response model for mass perpetration events that occur in early childhood education, in schools and online, led by the specialist sexual assault sector
-
develop and deliver a ‘train the trainer’ model on identifying ‘grooming’ behaviours and responding to child sexual abuse for educators across Victoria
-
work with our partners in the alcohol and other drug, mental health and criminal justice sectors to give survivors a consistent, sexual violence trauma-informed response regardless of where they first seek help
-
partner with Seniors Rights Victoria and COTA Australia to strengthen responses, referral processes and support for older people who have experienced historic or recent sexual violence in aged care settings or at home, including evaluation
-
establish a dedicated Education Liaison role to resource our growing work with the Department of Education.