Relationships

Some relationships end up happily ever after; but let's face it, some don't. Everyone should know the basics about how the law applies within a relationship as well as how it applies after a relationship has broken down.

Being hurt is not OK

No one has the right to hurt you either physically or emotionally including parents, partners or friends.

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If someone is hurting you physically or emotionally you should tell someone such as a parent, friend, counsellor or the police.

Physical or sexual assault or emotional abuse is never OK, no matter who it is that is doing it to you – even if they tell you that they love you afterwards. No-one deserves to be hurt, and no-one should tell you that it is your fault. You need to keep in mind that if it has happened once, it’s more likely that it will happen again.

If someone is hurting you then you need to remove yourself from the situation, and seek help. Check below to see who can help you in your area.

If you are in an emergency situation, call 000.

If you need help you can talk to a specialist domestic and family violence counsellor 24 hours, 7 days a week by calling the 1800Respect National Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Counselling Service on 1800 737 732.

Differences between states

Northern Territory

If you are in danger you should call the police on 000.

Depending on where you are in the Northern Territory, you can contact these services for legal advice:

Central Australian Women’s Legal Service phone 08 8952 4055 or 1800 684 055
Katherine Women’s Information and Legal Service phone 08 8972 1712 or 1800 620 108
Top End Women’s Legal Service phone 08 8982 3000 or 1800 234 441
Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit Aboriginal Corporation phone 08 8953 6355 or 1800 088 884
North Australian Aboriginal Family Violence Legal Service phone 08 8923 8200 or 1800 041 998.

ACT

If you are in danger you should call the police on 000.

If you need help, you can contact the Domestic Violence Crisis Service by phoning 02 6280 0900.

For legal advice you can call Women’s Legal Centre ACT on 02 6257 4499 or Legal Aid ACT on 1300 654 314.

Western Australia

If you are in danger you should call the police on 000.

Please call Women’s Legal Centre Western Australia on 08 9272 8800 or 1800 625 122 for legal advice and referrals.

NSW

If you are in danger you should call the police on 000.

You can call the Domestic Violence Line for help on 1800 656 463.This line operates 24/7 and provides counselling and referral to services including refuges.

For legal advice you can call Women’s Legal Service NSW on 02 8745 6999 or 1800 810 784, Legal Aid on 1300 888 529, or the South West Sydney Legal Centre advice line on 02 9601 7777.

Victoria

If you are in danger you should call the police on 000.

If you need help, you can contact any or all of the following services for advice, assistance or referrals

Women’s Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE) for links and referrals to appropriate support services
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre
The Sexual Assault Crisis Line
Victorian Centres Against Sexual Assault

For legal advice you can call:

South Australia

If you are in danger you should call the police on 000.

If you need help, you can contact any of the following services concerning a range of matters such as intervention orders, family law matters, child welfare matters, and domestic violence.

Women’s Legal Service South Australia on 08 8221 5553 for legal advice or referrals
The Legal Services Commission of South Australia on 1330 366 424 for advice
Women’s Information Service on 8303 0590 for advice
Child Abuse Report Line, a part of Families SA, on 131 478
Domestic Violence Gateway Helpline on 1800 800 098 (business hours) or 1800 003 308 (after hours)
or
A community legal centre in your area.

Tasmania

If you are in danger you should call the police on 000.

If you need help, you can contact any or all of the following services:

Support Help Empowerment (Southern Tasmania) on 03 6278 9090
Yemaya (Northern Tasmania) phone 03 6334 0305
Family Violence Counselling and Support Services (statewide) phone 1800 608 122

For legal advice you can call Women’s Legal Service Tasmania on 1800 682 468 or Legal Aid on 1300 366 611.

Queensland

For legal advice you can call Women’s Legal Service Queensland on 07 3392 0670 or 1800 677 278 (outside Brisbane), or 1800 457 117 in rural, regional or remote areas.

You can also call Legal Aid for advice on 1300 651 188.