Sexual Violence Legal Service - Information Brochure

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What is sexual violence?

Sexual violence includes any sexual activity that happens without a person’s consent. It can involve a wide range of behaviours.

• It occurs when consent to a sexual act is not freely given or obtained, is withdrawn or the person is unable to consent due to their age or other factors.
• It occurs any time a person is forced, coerced or manipulated into any sexual activity.
• It can include sexualised touching, rape, sexual harassment, or coercing someone to watch pornography.
• It can occur online, by sharing or threatening to share intimate pictures of someone without their consent.
• It can happen without physical assault or injury. It may include an attempted assault. There may or may not be force or threats.

We are here to help

You might be unsure about whether what has happened to you is a crime or how to respond.
We will help you understand your options, and link you with appropriate services to help you navigate your pathway forward.

• Phone: 1300 366 424
• Online chat

The Service

The Sexual Violence Legal Service (SVLS) provides support to people who have experienced sexual violence. This may have happened in your home, workplace or at school or university. You may have reported this to the police or not.

The service is free and confidential and includes social work support and financial counselling. We partner with Health and Recovery Trauma Safety Services (Metropolitan Youth Health) and Relationships Australia SA so you can also be linked in with other services to support your safety, wellbeing, and recovery.

For free and confidential legal advice and support, contact us through our legal advice channels.

How we can help

The SVLS can advise you on your options to report sexual offending to the police, and offer you support to do so if you choose. If your case goes to court, the SVLS can also help you navigate the justice system, supporting you with each step of the process in a safe way, informed by your needs.

The SVLS provides legal advice and representation on other matters including:

• getting a court order to protect your safety (Intervention Order)
• separation or divorce, arrangements for children, and dividing property
• problems with renting like repairs, rent or eviction
• debt and money issues
• if the Department for Child Protection is involved
• migration and visa issues.

The SVLS offers social work support, which can help you with:

• making statements to police
• safety planning
• accessing emergency financial payment where
  applicable, and
  organising referrals to other services for assistance with emergency housing, counselling, Centrelink issues and home safety and security assessments.

The SVLS includes a Justice System Navigator, a trained individual who can support you by:

• going to court with you
• seeking updates from the police and prosecution
• explaining what will happen in court and how long things might take
• guiding you throughout the court process.

Eligibility

The SVLS is a statewide service, accessible to anyone who has experienced sexual violence and who has questions about their legal options.

We can help whether the sexual violence you experienced occurred recently or some time ago.

Legal Services Commission offices

For in-person information and confidencial advice you may visit  the Legal Services Commission of South Australia, 159 Gawler Place, Adelaide, or one of our Adelaide Metro or regional South Australia offices. 

Do you need help calling us? 

Translating and interpreting service: 131 450

National Relay Service

• TTY users call 133 677
• Speak and Listen users call 1300 555 727
• SMS Relay 047 677 767
• Internet Relay users visit nsrchat.nsrcall.gov.au

Sexual Violence Legal Service Program

Visit our Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence legal services page to learn more about how we can support you, and the services network available to you. 

This information is general and not a substitute for legal advice. The Legal Services Commission provides free legal advice for most legal problems.

28 April 2026