Sexual harassment, rape and other forms of assault disproportionately affect female, LGBTQI+ and gender diverse members of our industry, and continue to have serious impacts on the health and safety of all who work within the Australian music industry.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual harassment, assault or rape, please ensure your safety and seek professional support through the contacts below.
If you work within the music community and need support or counselling, contact the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline now on 1800 959 500.
The Helpline can provide counselling support in relation to sexual harassment, sexual abuse, general harassment, bullying, career concerns, grief counselling and much more. It will ensure that support is provided on the spot when someone believes that they are at risk – which includes being at risk of harm to self, harm to others, harm due to domestic violence or harm from sexual assault.
If you need specialist support they will be able to refer you to medical support, legal support and/or the police.
You can find information regarding other services below.
WHAT IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT/ASSAULT?
What is sexual harassment:
- According to the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), sexual harassment is any unwanted or unwelcome sexual behaviour that makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated
- Sexual harassment is not interaction, flirtation or friendship which is mutual or consensual
- Sexual harassment is a type of sex discrimination
What is sexual assault:
- Sexual assault is an offence. Any suspected or alleged incidents of sexual assault should be treated and responded to seriously
- Sexual assault is any sexual activity a person has not consented to
- Sexual assault can refer to a broad range of sexual behaviours that make a person feel uncomfortable, frightened or threatened
STEPS TO TAKE IF YOU’VE BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED
Get to Safety
Make sure you’re in a safe place and call 000.
Talk to someone you can trust
Find someone to talk to you that you trust, like a family member, friend or a counsellor. The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline can provide you with advice, support and referral if you’d prefer to speak with a professional who understands the music industry.
Seek out a health professional
Medical support is available for people who have been sexually assaulted.
Trust your instincts
If you have been assaulted, you may not know what to do next immediately. Sexual assault is not okay and a crime. If you know the person who has assaulted you, you may want to report that person to the police or be an anonymous whistle blower.
OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES
National sexual assault support
Provides confidential sexual assault and family and domestic violence counselling via phone and webchat. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Phone: 1800 737 732
Men’s Referral Service
This service from No to Violence offers assistance, information and counselling to help men who use family violence.
Phone: 1300 766 491
Mensline Australia
With MensLine Australia’s online counselling, you can access free professional support, no matter where you are in Australia. Speak to qualified counsellors that specialise in family and relationship issues, including relationship breakdown, separation and divorce, parenting, family violence, suicide prevention and emotional wellbeing.
Phone: 1300 78 99 78
New South Wales
NSW Rape Crisis Counselling Service
24/7 telephone and online trauma counselling for anyone in NSW whose life has been impacted by sexual violence.
Phone: 1800 424 017
NSW Health Sexual Assault Services
Directory of support services in New South Wales from the state government’s Prevention and Response to Violence Abuse and Neglect service.
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC)
Face-to-face support services for survivors of sexual abuse, assault or harassment. There is also crisis phone support available from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week.
Phone: (02) 6247 2525
Service Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault (SAMSSA)
The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre’s specialised service for men over the age of 16 who have experienced sexual abuse, assault or harassment. Both face-to-face and phone counselling are available, with crisis phone support available from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week.
Phone: (02) 6247 2525
Northern Territory
Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Darwin)
A centre based in Casuarina that provides both phone and face-to-face support and counselling services. Phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Phone: (08) 8922 6472
Sexual Assault Referral Centre and Counsellor (Alice Springs)
A centre based in Alice Springs that provides both phone and face-to-face support and counselling services. Phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Phone: (08) 8952 6075
Queensland
Provides phone-based support and counselling to any Queenslander who has, or thinks they may have, been sexually assaulted or abused. The service is available from 7.30am to 11.30pm, seven days a week.
Phone: 1800 010 120
Mensline is a free and confidential telephone crisis counselling, referral and support service for men living in Queensland. Support is available from 9 am to midnight, seven days a week.
Phone: 1800 600 636
A directory of local support services throughout Queensland from Queensland Health.
South Australia
The lead public health agency responding to adult rape and sexual assault in South Australia. Yarrow Place provides many services, including a 24/7 crisis response service, professional counselling, and support groups.
Note: Yarrow Place only offers services for people over 16 years, for recent sexual assault.
Phone: (08) 8226 8777 from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays, (08) 8226 8787 for a 24/7 hotline for survivors of a recent sexual assault, or 1800 817 421 toll-free.
Tasmania
Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS)
SASS is a free and confidential support service for southern Tasmanian people of all ages who have been affected by any form of sexual violence. They also provide Redress Scheme Support Services across Tasmania.
24 hour crisis support: 1800 697 877
All other enquiries: (03) 6231 0044
Provides face-to-face counselling to adults and children affected by sexual assault in the North and North West of Tasmania. Their office hours are 8.30am to 5pm for Launceston, and 9am to 5pm for Burnie/Devonport.
Phone: (03) 6334 2740 (Launceston), (03) 6431 9711 (Burnie and Devonport)
Victoria
A free, statewide, after-hours service for people in Victoria who have experienced sexual violence. The crisis line operates from 5pm on weeknights to 9am the next day, and during the same hours on weekends and public holidays.
Phone: 1800 806 292
Centres Against Sexual Assault (CASA)
The peak body for the 15 Centres Against Sexual Assault in Victoria and the Victorian Sexual Assault Crisis Line. Use this map to find your nearest centre, or call their toll-free number to be connected with your nearest centre or for after-hours support.
Phone: 1800 806 292
Victorian Women’s Health Services
Provides face-to-face, phone and web-based support services for women in Victoria.
Phone: (03) 9664 9300
Western Australia
Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC)
Provides services to people over the age of 13 affected by sexual violence, including emergency services and counselling. You can phone them 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you have been assaulted in the past two weeks, phone between 8.30am and 11pm any day of the week to speak to a crisis counsellor or to request a counselling appointment.
Phone: (08) 6458 1828
Translation services and help for people with disabilities
Translating and Interpreting Service
For callers who require a translating or interpreting service.
Phone 13 14 50 and ask them to contact the phone number of the service you want to get in touch with.
National Relay Service
For callers who are d/Deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech impairment.
TTY/Voice Calls: Phone 133 677 and ask them to contact the number of the service you want to connect with.
Speak and Listen: Phone 1300 555 727 and ask them to contact the number of the service you want to connect with.