Help for Victims of Crime
On this page:
- Who can help me?
- Reporting a crime
- Information for victims of crime
- Family and domestic violence
- Support services for people affected by family and domestic violence
- Support services for victims of assault
- Other helpful support services
- What is Honour-based Violence?
Who can help me?
There are many organisations that provide services free of charge to people who have been personally affected by crime. Information and services can be provided either in person, on the phone or online.
Reporting a crime
The reporting a crime page outlines how to report different types of crime.
Information for victims of crime
Victim Support Service provides free, confidential counselling and support services for all victims of crime. These services are provided by professional counsellors and trained volunteers in Perth and regional centres. Victim Support Services offers confidential support for victims of crime and includes three areas of service: Victim Support Service; Child Witness Service; and Family Violence Service. It is not necessary for a person to be charged with an offence before you are eligible for support from the Victim Support Services (except for the Child Witness Service where referrals can only be made once charges are laid).
Phone: 1800 818 988 (freecall STD)
Commissioner for Victims of Crime
The Commissioner:
- Provides high level advice and expertise to the Director General and the Attorney General on issues surrounding victims of crime in Western Australia;
- Monitors and reviews the effect of all elements of the justice system on victims of crime with a particular focus on police and court practices and procedures;
- Builds and sustains effective communication and working relationships with key stakeholders, victims of crime, government agencies and industry representatives.
Phone: (08) 9264 1600
Email: cvoc@justice.wa.gov.au
Family and domestic violence
- What is family and domestic violence
- How to report family or domestic violence
- How can police help?
- What is a Police Order?
- Do you need a Restraining Order?
- Metropolitan Family Protection Units
- Regional Family Protection Units
Support services for people affected by family and domestic violence
Djinda - Is a specialist legal support service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that have experienced or are at risk of family and domestic violence or sexual assault. Djinda Services will provide legal advice and representation in the Perth metropolitan area in the areas of: violence restraining orders; assisting victims - survivors of family violence and sexual assault; child protection, criminal injuries compensation where it relates to family violence; and family law including child support.
Phone: (08) 9272 8800 or 1800 625 122
Crisis Care (Family Helpline) - Problems within the family, including domestic violence, homelessness, child welfare and general arguments.
Phone: (08) 9223 1111 (metro) or 1800 199 008 (country)
Kids Helpline - Free telephone and online counselling service for young people between five and 25 years.
Phone: 1800 551 800
Men's Line - Dedicated service for men with relationship and family concerns.
Phone: 1300 789 978
Women's Domestic Violence Helpline - Free telephone support and counselling for women experiencing family and domestic violence.
Phone: (08) 9223 1188
Men's Domestic Violence Helpline - Telephone information, referral and counselling service for men to help them change their violent behaviour towards female partners.
Phone: (08) 9223 1199 or 1800 000 599
Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC)- Free assistance and support to any male or female, aged 13 years and over, who has experienced unwanted sexual contact or behaviour. Counselling also available.
Department for Child Protection and Family Support - This website provides helpful information about support services listed by suburb. Click on the suburb/region and see the support services in your area, what they do and how to contact them.
Ishar Multicultural Centre for Women's Health - Provides counselling and support, medical services, domestic violence, sexual abuse and mental health information and support services for women of all cultures.
Phone: (08) 9345 5335
Women's Health and Wellbeing Services - Provides affordable health care for women of all cultures which includes counselling and health information in the areas of depression, self-esteem, sexual assault, addictive behaviour, domestic violence, eating disorders, anxiety, stress management, nutrition, and all matters relating to women's health.
Phone: (08) 9490 2258
WA Police Force Safety Tips and Advice
Support services for victims of assault
Ishar Multicultural Centre for Women's Health - Provides counselling and support, medical services, domestic violence, sexual abuse and mental health information and support services for women of all cultures.
Phone: (08) 9345 5335
Youth Focus - A free service working with young people, aged 12-18 yrs who show signs of depression, self-harm and suicide.
Phone: (08) 9266 4333
Kids Helpline - Free telephone and online counselling service for young people between five and 25 years.
Phone: 1800 551 800
Angelhands - Provides effective support for people affected by homicide and serious personal violence and to assist them in their trauma recovery.
Phone: (08) 9272 2242
Homicide Victims' Support Group - Offers peer-to-peer support, by and for, those who have lost a loved one through homicide.
Phone: 0451 974 685
Women's Health and Wellbeing Services - Provides affordable health care for women of all cultures which includes counselling and health information in the areas of depression, self-esteem, sexual assault, addictive behaviour, domestic violence, eating disorders, anxiety, stress management, nutrition, and all matters relating to women's health.
Phone: (08) 9490 2258
Multicultural Futures - Crisis accommodation and settlement programs for refugees and migrants. It also operates a mental health referral program and employment and training services - Caters for migrant and non-English speakers.
Phone: (08) 9336 8282
Other helpful support services
Road Trauma Support WA - Provides client-focused: information; peer support; specialised trauma and bereavement counselling, and prevention education to all people affected by road trauma. This includes: those involved and/or injured, the bereaved, and their families, carers and friends; those who may have caused a trauma; witnesses; and emergency service personnel and associated industry workers.
Phone: (08) 6166 7688 or 1300 004 814 (toll free)
Lifeline 24/7 Crisis Line - Telephone crisis support, suicide intervention and prevention, mental health support service.
Phone: 13 11 14
Rurallink - Specialist after-hours telephone service for the rural communities of WA. Deals with depression, mental health issues, and suicide.
Phone: 1800 720 101
The Samaritans - Non-religious, non-judgmental, care-line, offering emotional support to the lonely, despairing and suicidal.
Phone: (08) 9381 5555 (metro) or 1800 198 313 (country)
Samaritans Youth Line
Phone: (08) 9388 2500
Alcohol & Drug Information Service (ADIS) - Information, referral and counselling for substance users and family members.
Phone: (08) 9442 5000 or 1800 198 024 (freecall)
Mental Health Emergency Response Line - Rapid response to mental health emergencies, including advice for carers.
Phone: (08) 9224 8888 Local call 1300 555 788 (Perth metropolitan) 1800 676 822 (Peel region)
Department for Child Protection and Family Support - This website provides helpful information about support services listed by suburb. Click on the suburb/region and see the support services in your area, what they do and how to contact them.
Arbor - Free outreach counselling service (including telephone counselling) for those bereaved by suicide or sudden death.
Phone: 1300 11 44 46 or arbor.bereavement@anglicarewa.org.au.
Child Protection Unit within the Perth Children's Hospital - A free, specialist, hospital based service for children and their families where abuse or neglect is a concern.
Phone: (08) 9340 8646
Ngala Family Resource Centre - Early parenting services, support and guidance for families and young children.
Phone: (08) 9368 9368
Parenting WA - Information, support and referral services to parents, carers, grandparents and families with children up to 18 years.
Phone: (08) 6279 1200 or 1800 654 432 (freecall)
Womens Health and Family Services - Programs and services for women, their children, and families across WA.
Phone: (08) 6330 5400 or 1800 998 399 (freecall)
SANE - Information and helpline for people with mental health issues.
Phone: 1800 187 263
Beyond Blue - Information on a wide variety of mental health problems for sufferers, carers and professionals.
Phone: 1300 224 636
What is honour-based violence?
Honour-based violence (HBV) violates basic human rights and occurs in culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities. HBV has no basis in religious text. Every person has the right to feel safe and secure, without living under threat within the family home. It is therefore the responsibility of the WA Police Force to engage with victims and their families to ensure victim safety and perpetrators are dealt with appropriately.
*HBV is usually differentiated from other forms of domestic violence on the grounds that it:
- occurs within the framework of collective family structures, communities and societies;
- involves a premeditated act, designed to restore a societal construction of honour as a value system, norm or tradition; and
- is based on men's putative right to control women's sexual and social choices, with a concomitant perception of women as the property of men.”1
HBV also includes several forms of violence including forced marriages, female genital mutilation, dowry abuse, severe long terms physical, emotional and sexual abuse and honour killings.
While it is important to have an understanding of the motives behind HBV, these motives should not be accepted as justification for the kind of violence portrayed by one family member on another. HBV can take place for some of the reasons listed below:
- Sexuality - and in particular the behaviour and sexuality of women
- Protect family 'honour'
- Response to peer, family or community pressure
- To strengthen family links
- Perceived immoral behaviour such as: wearing makeup, kissing in public, rejecting a forced marriage
- Preventing 'unsuitable' relationships, e.g. outside the ethnic, cultural, religious or caste group
Is honour-based violence a crime in Australia?
Yes, violence based on honouring the family is a crime in Western Australia and police can help you. Please contact police on 131 444 or 000 if you are in imminent danger.
Many of the agencies listed (above) can help you with support if you are a victim of honour-based violence.
1Gill, A. (2009). Honour killings and the quest for justice in black and minority ethnic communities in the United Kingdom. Criminal Justice Policy Review 20 (4), 475-494.