Victims of crime support services
Where to find support, advice and help for victims of crime.
General services
Lifeline
Lifeline’s confidential 24-hour crisis phone service is for anyone needing emotional support. You can also use its crisis support online chat service from 7pm to midnight, 7 days a week.
Trained volunteers talk with you about your situation and concerns, give you support and help to consider your options and choices.
They can refer you to services close to you.
Tel: 13 11 14
Web: www.lifeline.org.au
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement Counselling and Support Service
The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement Counselling and Support Service (ACGB) is a statewide service providing specialist grief counselling to adults, children and families after the death of a loved one or for different types of grief.
You can get face-to-face grief counselling and facilitated support groups from its office in Melbourne.
If you can't get to Melbourne, you can access phone and online support.
Call the ACGB and ask to speak to an intake worker.
Tel: 1800 642 066
Web: www.grief.org.au
GriefLine
GriefLine provides free online and phone counselling to anyone needing support for grief and loss. GriefLine's phone support operates from 12pm to 3am, 7 days a week.
Its online counselling is a 24-hour service. You can access the Online Counselling Service through its website.
The service also provides specialised support to migrants.
Tel: 9935 7400
Web: griefline.org.au
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) provides culturally safe counselling and mental health support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their partners.
Call VAHS Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm or Friday from 9am to 4pm to speak with the intake and assessment worker.
Tel: 03 9403 3300
Web: www.vahs.org.au
Coroners Court of Victoria
The Coroners Court investigates and reports on deaths in Victoria.
Family Liaison Officers provide information and support for families and witnesses needing help through the coronial process.
Family Liaison Officers can also help families and witnesses by referring them to external counselling and support agencies.
You can access counselling and support 24 hours a day and information about the coronial process, short-term counselling and referral to other agencies for ongoing support.
Tel: 1300 309 519
Web: www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au
Victims of Crime Helpline
The Victims of Crime Helpline offers information, advice and support for you and your family to help manage the impact of crime.
Tel: 1800 819 817
Web: www.victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au
The Compassionate Friends (VIC)
The Compassionate Friends provides peer support to families and individuals affected by the death of a loved one.
Its grief support line is open 24 hours. You can also access its counselling and support groups.
Tel: 1300 064 068 or 03 9888 4944
Web: www.compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au
Department of Human Services – Centrelink
Centrelink can provide financial assistance to families affected by a work-related death.
Tel: 13 61 50
Web: www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/centrelink
GriefWorks
GriefWorks provides community based flexible support to families following a work-related bereavement.
Tel: 03 9692 9427
Counselling services and professional contacts
Australian Association of Social Workers
Find a social worker in private practice
Tel: 03 9320 1012
Web: www.aasw.asn.au
Australian Psychological Society
Find a psychologist in private practice
Tel: 1800 333 497 or 03 8662 3300
Incolink
Access counselling and support for members in the construction industry
Tel: 1300 000 129
Web: www.incolink.org.au
Mercy Western Grief Services
Mercy Grief Services (MGS) is a specialist counselling service for people in western metropolitan Melbourne experiencing complicated grief after the death of a significant person.
Tel: 03 9364 9838
Web: health-services.mercyhealth.com.au/service/mercy-grief-services/
Road Trauma Support Services Victoria
Road Trauma Support Services Victoria provides counselling and support to people affected by road trauma.
Counselling services are free of charge to anyone affected by a road incident.
You can call the office Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.
Tel: 1300 367 797
Web: rtssv.org.au
Royal Children’s Hospital
Information on mental health services for children, young people and their families
Tel: 03 9345 5544
Web: www.rch.org.au
Australian Association of Family Therapy
Find a family therapist
Tel: 03 9429 9938
Web: www.aaft.asn.au
Phone support
Parentline
Parentline is a confidential, anonymous phone counselling service for Victorian parents and carers of children and teenagers.
Counselling, information and support about a range of parenting issues is available 7 days a week.
You can call the service from 8am to midnight.
Tel: 13 22 89
Web: www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/services-for-parents/Pages/parentline…
Kids Help Line
24-hour specialist phone counselling service for children and young people.
Tel: 1800 551 800
Web: kidshelpline.com.au
Legal and financial help
Department of Human Services - Centrelink
Centrelink can provide financial assistance to families affected by a work-related death.
Tel: 13 61 50
Web: www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/centrelink
Victorian Legal Aid
Advice and referrals for free and low-cost legal services.
Available Monday to Friday from 8.45am to 5.15pm. An online chat service is also available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Tel: 1300 792 387
Unions
Some unions provide free help to their members.
For access to general counselling services and information, contact your local council or shire.