In normal times, three in ten women - age fifteen and above - will have experienced physical or sexual violence in Australia according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
However, the overwhelming stress families experience from COVID-19 lockdowns have resulted in a spike in calls for help from victims of family violence according to Michal Morris who heads Victoria-based inTouch multicultural centre against family violence.
She says the organisation’s bilingual case managers and immigration lawyers have been busy providing remote support to more women than usual.
For more information on inTouch, visit inTouch.org.au or call their toll free number on 1800 755 988 Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm if you live in Victoria.
For nationwide support, contact 1800 RESPECT, the National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling Line on 1800 737 732 any time.
If you are feeling distressed and need emotional support, call the Beyondblue coronavirus mental wellbeing support service on 1800 512 348 or Lifeline on 13 11 14 any time of the day and night.
For women’s health-related information in your language, contact the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health on its toll-free number 1800 656 421 between 10am to 4pm.
If you need language support, call 13 14 50 for an interpreter and ask to be connected to your preferred support organisation.
Call 000 immediately if your life is in danger.
