Sexual Violence Legal Service

If you have experienced sexual violence, you are not alone and help is available.



We provide free and confidential legal advice and support, including social work support and financial counselling, to anyone in South Australia who has experienced sexual violence.


Sexual violence may have happened recently or a long time ago. We can help you understand your legal options and what to do next. We can also advise you about reporting sexual offending to the police and support you through that process if you choose to do so.

You can contact us even if you are:

• unsure whether what happened was a crime
• unsure about reporting to the police.

Contact us for free and confidential legal support

Call 1300 366 424 (open Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm) or chat to us online via Legal Chat. You do not have to report to police to contact us. When you call our Legal Helpline or text our Legal Chat, you will be connected to speak with a lawyer.

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• It occurs when consent to a sexual act is not freely given or obtained or is withdrawn, or when a person is unable to consent due to their age or other factors.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.

How we can help 

Our team of lawyers, social workers and a financial counsellor work together to support people who have experienced sexual violence. We focus on providing support that feels safe, respectful and guided by your needs.

We can help you to:

• understand whether what happened may be sexual violence
• learn about your legal options after experiencing sexual violence
• understand how to make a police report and what happens next
• explore your options during the court process
• understand what to expect after the court process has finished
• understand legal terms and processes
• connect with other services to support your wellbeing and recovery
• navigate other legal issues you may be experiencing that relate to the sexual violence including:
  
  • intervention orders – applying for one or understanding an existing order
  • family law – separation, divorce, parenting arrangements and property
  • tenancy issues – problems with renting
  • debt and financial issues
  • Department for Child Protection matters
  • migration or visa issues
  • victims of crime compensation.

Social work support 

We can help you to:

• make statements to police
• plan for your safety 
• access emergency financial payment where applicable
• organise referrals to other services for assistance with emergency housing, counselling, Centrelink issues and home safety and security
• navigate related issues impacting your wellbeing.

Support throughout the court process

if you choose to make a report and this results in a court matter, we can help you to:

• go to court, so you are not alone
• obtain updates from police and prosecution
• understand what to expect in court and how long things might take
• navigate the entire court process.

Who can access this service

The Sexual Violence Legal Service is available to anyone in South Australia who has experienced sexual violence and wants to understand their legal options. We can help whether sexual violence occurred recently or some time ago. You may or may not have reported it to the police.

How to get help

Call our Free Legal Helpline

1300 366 424
Open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm

Chat to us online
via Legal Chat

In an emergency:

If you are in immediate danger call 000.

For emergency counselling and support, contact 1800 RESPECT for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 737 732.

Partners

The Sexual Violence Legal Service is delivered as part of a new statewide pilot program in South Australia. The pilot will be delivered in partnership with Relationships Australia SA, Health and Recovery Trauma Safety Services (Metropolitan Youth Health), with the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement partnering specifically in the research into restorative justice pathways.