Sexual assault support services (also referred to as SASS) are available for a service response for children, young people and adults who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault, as well as to their non-offending family members and support people. Sexual assault support services are located in all departmental areas statewide.
Sexual assault support services provide:
- a crisis care service response following a recent sexual assault
- a therapeutic service response, including counselling, advocacy and support
- community education in relation to sexual assault and
- specialist consultation.
Sexual assault support services are free and confidential for victim survivors of sexual assault. If safety concerns are identified, the service may need to contact other services such as Victoria Police or Child Protection, family violence and mental health services to ensure support for the victim survivor.
In addition to SASSs, paediatric forensic medical services are available for children, young people and adults.
Further information about Sexual Assault Support Services is available on the sexual violence sector's peak body, Sexual Assault Victoria's website and you are able to find a sexual assault support service in your area via their map.
Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL) is the after hours, Statewide telephone crisis counselling service for people who have experienced both past or recent sexual assault, including children and young people. See Sexual Assault Crisis Line website for more information.
The Victorian Forensic Medical Service (VFPMS) provides a 24 hour statewide medical service to children and young people (under 17 years) referred either by Child Protection, Victoria Police or health services with respect to sexual abuse and/or assault. Paediatric sexual assault services in metropolitan Melbourne are provided at two major hospitals – the Royal Children's Hospital and Monash Children's Hospital. See Victorian Forensic Paediatric Medical Service for further information.
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) conduct forensic medical examinations for adults across Victoria. Forensic medical services in rural and regional areas depend upon the availability of a local forensically trained physician, and sometimes victim survivors may be referred to city services.
Counselling, advocacy and support provided by sexual assault support services are available for adults, children and young people. Services include counselling following a crisis, longer term therapeutic treatment, casework, advocacy, information provision and group work.
Specific sexual assault counselling services for children and young people who have been sexually abused or assaulted are available from most sexual assault services across the state. Services who deliver specifically to children and young people include the Support After Sexual Harm service (SASH) at the Royal Children's Hospital, Kidsfirst and the Australian Childhood Foundation. Liaise directly with those services or the Sexual Assault Crisis Line (1800 806 292) for more information.
Sexual assault support services vary depending on location, service philosophy, experience and eligibility. Some sexual assault support services provide services to adults, children and young people while others are provided only to adults.
Private providers may also have specialist expertise and availability to provide therapeutic supports to victim survivors. It is important to clarify this with the provider in advance of making a referral for a child or family where possible.
Eleven of the 19 sexual assault support services also provide therapeutic treatment to children and young people who have displayed harmful sexual behaviours.
Specialist Consultation refers to services provided to community agencies and professionals to assist them to provide appropriate responses to victims of sexual assault.
Victoria funds a comprehensive response for children and young people who have displayed problematic or abusive sexual behaviours. Children and young people are supported to sustain behaviour change through a focus on building protective factors, improving their connections and supported to engage in safe and positive relationships.
Sexually abusive behaviour treatment services are located at various sites across Victoria and provide assessment of and developmentally appropriate therapeutic intervention for up to 24 months for, children from birth to 17 years who display concerning and harmful sexual behaviours. The services encourage parents to connect children to the service in a voluntary capacity to avoid exposing children to any court process. A key principle of the service is to acknowledge the historic, individual and systemic issues, including the trauma experienced by the young person that led to the behaviours and the harm caused.
Sexually Abusive Behaviour Treatment Services can be found here: Sexual abuse behaviour treatment service (SABTS) contacts.