Victims of crime support services

Where to find support, advice and help for victims of crime.

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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 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.

Its online forums is a 24-hour service. You can access the online forums through its website.

The service also provides specialised support to migrants.

Tel: 1300 845 745

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

Web: www.psychology.org.au

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

Web: www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

Unions

Some unions provide free help to their members.

For access to general counselling services and information, contact your local council or shire.

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