Useful Links

Tasmanian Government Agencies

Information on Family Violence

Safe from Violence

The Safe from Violence website (external link) is the central point for information on family violence programs and services in Tasmania.

The National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children

The National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010 - 2022 is the Australian Government's plan to reduce family, domestic and sexual violence. For more information or to download a copy of the national plan, visit the  National Plan website (external link).

Counselling and Information Telephone Services

The Men's Referral Service

The Men's Referral Service provides anonymous and confidential telephone counselling, information and referrals to help men stop using violence and controlling behaviour. This service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Tasmanians.

For more information visit the Men's Referral Service website (external link)

or call 1300 766 491.

1800 RESPECT

The 1800 RESPECT: National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling Line is for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault. This is a free, confidential NATIONAL service which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Callers to the National 1800 RESPECT line will be referred to local services when possible.

For more information visit the 1800 RESPECT website (external link)

or call 1800 737 732.

Family Violence Counselling and Support Service

Tasmania's Family Violence Counselling and Support Service (FVCSS) offers professional and specialised services to assist children, young people and adults affected by family violence.

The FVCSS operates from 9:00am to midnight on weekdays and between 4:00pm and midnight on weekends and public holidays.

For more information visit the Tasmanian Family Violence Counselling and Support Service website (external link)

or call 1800 608 122.

Resources for Families, Children and Young People

Stop it at the Start

The Australian Government's Stop it at the Start campaign aims to help break the cycle of violence by encouraging adults to reflect on their attitudes and have conversations about respect with young people.

The campaign is aimed at parents and family members of children aged 10–17, as well as the teachers, coaches, community leaders and employers of young people.

For more information visit the Stop it at the Start website (external link)

RSPCA Safe Beds Program

The RSPCA Safe Beds Program (external link) provides foster care for pets of people who are experiencing housing insecurity due to family violence.

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

On 1 September 2021, the Federal Circuit Court of Australia and the Family Court of Australia merged to become the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Court).

The Court, through its specialist judges and staff, assists Australians to resolve their most complex legal family disputes. The Court’s family law jurisdiction includes

  • applications for divorce
  • applications for spousal maintenance
  • property and financial disputes
  • parenting orders
  • enforcement of orders
  • location and recovery orders
  • warrants for the apprehension or detention of a child
  • determination of parentage

The Court is guided by the following principles in responding to family violence concerns

  • Safety is a right and a priority for all who attend and work at the Court
  • Family violence affects everyone in a family, including children
  • Family violence can occur before, during and after separation and it may affect the ability of people to make choices about their family law matter and to take part in court events
  • The Courts have a particular concern about the immediate and possible longer term adverse impacts on children who experience or witness family violence
  • Even if children do not directly witness the violence, they are often very aware of it

For more information visit the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia website (external link).

Technology-Facilitated Abuse

The eSafety Commissioner

The website for the Australian Government eSafety Commissioner contains information and advice to help all Australians stay safe online.

The website also has a number of resources for people who are experiencing online or technological abuse as part of domestic and family violence. This includes information about the different types of technology facilitated abuse and 'how-to' videos for protecting yourself online.

For more information visit the eSafety Commissioner's website (external link)

or the eSafety Commissioner's page on family violence (external link)

1800 RESPECT - Technology and Safety

The website for the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service (also known as 1800 RESPECT) contains information and advice for using the internet, apps and devices safely.

For more information visit 1800 RESPECT's Technology and Safety website (external link).

Last updated: 27 June 2022