Military Sexual Trauma Research Project Support Services
Taking care of your safety and wellbeing
Summary
Talking about sexual violence and trauma can be challenging. Your safety and wellbeing are most important. If you have been affected by any of the topics raised you may find the support services on this page helpful:
- counselling and mental health services
- advice and support about your workplace rights
- formal report or complaint services.
Counselling and mental health services
Services within Defence
All-hours support line | This confidential telephone service provides mental health advice and referral for ADF members and their families. Available 24/7. | Call 1800 628 036 or visit defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/wellbeing/support-services |
Defence Member and Family Helpline | Available 24/7 and staffed by qualified human services professionals including social workers and psychologists. The Helpline can provide assessment, assistance, advice or referral depending on the family's needs. | Call 1800 624 608 or visit defence.gov.au/dco/ |
1800 IMSICK | A 24/7 phone service providing nurse triage and health support for members after hours and off-base. | Call 1800 467 425 |
SeMPRO | The Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Response Office provides 24/7 immediate and confidential help to any Defence related person who has been impacted by sexual violence. | Call 1800 736 776 or email sempro@defence.gov.au |
Chaplaincy Support | Available 24/7 to ADF members and their families for pastoral care, support and advice. | Call 1300 333 362and ask to speak to the on-call Chaplain in your area. |
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) | Free, confidential and professional counselling for Defence APS employees, ADF Reservists, ADF Youth Cadets, Officers and Instructors, immediate families, and workplace supervisors/managers. Available 24/7. Provided by Converge International. | Call 1300 687 327 or visit Employee Assistance Program | ADF Members & Families | Defence |
Services outside of Defence
Open Arms | Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling provides free and confidential mental health and wellbeing support for current and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force and families including counselling, care coordination, peer support, digital mental health initiatives and group programs. Support is available 24/7 for crisis assistance and counselling support, with self-help resources available on the Open Arms website. This organisation is independent from Defence. | Call 1800 011 046 or visit | |
Safe Zone Support | Free and anonymous counselling hotline for current serving ADF members, veterans, and their families. Available 24/7. The SafeZone counselling line is hosted by Open Arms, but is a separate anonymous service.
| Call 1800 142 072 or visit | |
1800RESPECT | National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling, information and support service. This service is free and confidential. Available 24/7. | Call 1800 737 732 or visit | |
13YARN | National crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. Confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter. Available 24/7. | Call 13 92 76 or visit | |
Full Stop Australia | National trauma counselling and recovery service for people of all ages and genders experiencing sexual, domestic and family violence. This service is free and confidential. Available 24/7. | Call 1800 943 539 or visit | |
Kids Helpline | Free counselling and support specifically for young people up to 25-years-old. Available 24/7. | Call 1800 551 800 or visit | |
Headspace | Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health service for 12-25 year olds. Webchat or hotline available 3pm-10pm every day. | Call 1800 650 890 or visit | |
SANE Australia | Support services for people with complex mental health issues and trauma. Available 24/7. | Call 1800 187 263 or visit | |
Suicide Call Back Service | Telephone, video and online counselling to people who are affected by suicide. Available 24/7. | Call 1300 659 467 or visit suicidecallbackservice.org | |
Lifeline | Offers confidential crisis support and suicide prevention services. Available 24/7. | Call 13 11 14 or visit | |
Beyond Blue | Mental health support. Available 24/7. | Call 1300 22 4636 or visit | |
QLife | Provides Australia-wide LGBTIQA+ peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues. 3pm till midnight every day. | Call 1800 184 572 or visit qlife.org.au/get-help | |
Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline | For anyone from the LGBTIQA+ community whose life has been impacted by sexual, domestic and/or family violence. This service is free and confidential. Available 24/7. | Call 1800 497 212 | |
Men’s Referral Service | For anyone in Australia whose life has been impacted by men’s use of violence or abusive behaviours. Available 24/7. | Call 1300 766 491 or visit | |
Mens Line | Offers free confidential counselling and support for men. Available 24/7. | Call 1300 78 99 78 or visit mensline.org.au | |
Services that can provide advice about your workplace rights and options
The Australian Human Rights Commission | Free and confidential Respect@Work Information Service can provide information and referrals in relation to workplace sexual harassment. | 1300 656 419 |
Defence Counsel Services | Provides legal assistance to full-time ADF members and to Reserve ADF members on a case-by-case basis. | Call 1800 563 563 or email your.legalassistance@defence.gov.au |
Services where you can make a complaint or report an incident
Services within Defence
1800 DEFENCE | 1800 DEFENCE is the Defence Service Centre for ICT support, personal administration services, (travel, pay, service records, human resources, learning and development), ServiceConnect, honours and awards, security clearances, and base service requests. Starting in January 2026, Defence personnel have additional choices and avenues to submit complaints of unacceptable behaviour, including sexual violence. Personnel are now able to submit complaints anonymously, outside of their chain of command/reporting line, through 1800 DEFENCE or through an online form, which can be found on the public facing Defence website. | To make a complaint or learn more contact 1800 DEFENCE (1800 333 362), email: complaint.resolution@defence.gov.au or submit an online complaint form at: defence.gov.au/about/complaints-incident-reporting/unacceptable-behaviour/unacceptable-behaviour-complaint-form | |
Joint Military Police | The Joint Military Police have authority over all ADF members. You can contact the Joint Military Police if you see a crime at a Defence location and/or by ADF member, if you want to report an incident involving ADF member; if you need support about a ADF member, or if you are concerned about suspicious behaviour of an ADF member. | Military Police 24/7 helpline: 13 11 67 In an emergency, call 000 | |
Redress of Grievance | Redress of Grievance is a formal complaint process where Defence members may complain about a decision, act or omission relating to their service in the ADF. | Enquiries can be sent to military.redress@defence.gov.au | |
Work Health and Safety Reports | You can report a Work health and safety (WHS) incident using the Defence Sentinel system. | See: defence.gov.au/about/governance/work-health-safety/policy | |
Services outside of Defence
The Police | If you believe the sexual violence you experienced involves criminal behaviour, including actual or attempted sexual assault, you can report the matter to police. | Police Assistance line: 131 444 or visit aic.gov.au/contact-us/report-crime In emergencies call 000. |
Defence Force Ombudsman | The Defence Force Ombudsman, receives reports of Defence abuse, including sexual abuse. They are an independent body (outside Defence and the chain of command) for those uncomfortable reporting abuse within Defence. There is no need to report the matter to Defence first. Open to current and ex-serving members. The Defence Ombudsman can also receive complaints of decisions taken by Defence. However, except for reports of abuse, current serving members must use the Redress of Grievance service first (see above). | Email defenceforce.ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.au or Visit ombudsman.gov.au/complaints/defence-force-complaints/reporting-abuse |
Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force (IGADF) | The IGADF handles complaints regarding the military justice system, such as abuse of authority, harassment, bullying and unfair treatment. Current and ex-serving members and their families can raise issues with the IGADF. Complaints can be made anonymously. | To make a submission see: https://www.igadf.gov.au/make-submission |
The Australian Human Rights Commission | The Australian Human Rights Commission can receive complaints about workplace sexual harassment. To find out more and if this service is relevant to you, you can call the free and confidential Respect@Work Information Service, who can provide information and referrals. | Call 1300 656 419 or visit humanrights.gov.au/our-work/complaint-information-service/make-enquiry |
