If you are in immediate danger:
Call 000 and ask for Police
If you have been injured:
Call 000 and ask for Ambulance
After Hours: 5pm-9am & weekends/public holidays
Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL) 1800 806 292
Business Hours: 9am-5pm Mon-Fri
Ballarat CASA Intake Team 03 5320 3933
What to do after a recent sexual assault
Get safe- If you are injured or in an unsafe situation, call 000 and ask for Ambulance or Police. If you don’t need 000, get to a safe place as soon as possible. This might be your or someone else’s home. If this isn’t possible, go to a hospital or police station.
Get help- Find someone that you trust over 18 who can help and support you. This might be a trusted friend or relative or you might call a help line like:
- Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1800 806 292
- 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732
Record details- as soon as you are able, it is a good idea to record times, dates, location and details of the assault. This includes a description of the person(s) who perpetrated the assault.
How can Ballarat CASA help?
Ballarat CASA offers 24-hour crisis support for people who have experienced a recent sexual assault.
We can offer counselling and support about your rights and whether you would like to:
- Report the assault to police or;
- Undergo a Forensic Medical Examination (which will take place at the Crisis Care Unit of the Ballarat Base Hospital)
At the Crisis Care Unit
If you attend the Crisis Care Unit, you will be offered the option of being supported by a Counsellor/Advocate from Ballarat CASA.
They will provide:
- Information about your rights with the police and the legal process and support for you to decide whether to report the sexual assault or not;
- Information about the purpose of the forensic medical examination and support for you to decide whether to have the examination or not;
- Support and information about common impacts experienced after a recent sexual assault, and strategies to manage these;
- Information about the counselling services offered at Ballarat CASA and follow-up contact offered with the attending Counsellor/Advocate.