Domestic and Family Violence Awareness
Townsville City Council is committed to fostering a safe and healthy workplace for all its employees and creating an environment where staff who may be experiencing Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) are supported.
Council recognises we not only have a key role to play in supporting our employees, but also in educating and informing our community of services available.
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Community Initiatives
Some of our community initiatives include:
Red Bench Project
The Red Rose Foundation launched the Red Bench Project to build a permanent reminder that domestic violence occurs within all of our communities.
For more information and locations visit our Red Bench Project page.
Signs to Combat Violence or Behind Closed Doors
Townsville City Council and Zonta Townsville Inc have collaborated to create awareness and support signs for all Council owned public Toilets. The signs detailing services available for people experiencing DFV have been installed in over 180 public toilets to date, with many more businesses agreeing to join the campaign in the future.
Community Safety Plan
The Community Safety Plan 2019-2020 was endorsed at a Full Council meeting on 27 August 2019. The objective of the Plan is to bring together existing programs, identify trends and issues in the community and develop appropriate responses to maintain public safety.
Council’s White Ribbon Workplace Accreditation has been incorporated into its Community Safety Plan. Providing support to staff through its Employee Assistance Program (EAP), rolling out strategies and policies regarding DFV and continued awareness campaigns that demonstrate the commitment Council are making to stand up, speak out, take action and end all forms of family violence.
Browsing Safely
Computers store information about the websites you visit. That means bills you pay and purchases you make are tracked, and messages or emails can be found and read. You should always consider that a computer might be monitored when you use it and be careful with what you send others or post online.
Safe computers can be found at your local library, Internet cafe, shelter or workplace; avoid using shared home computers or your phone when researching things like travel plans, housing options, legal issues, and safety plans. Using safe browsing practices like privacy mode (in browsers) or using a VPN, can help prevent abusive partners from tracking your Internet history.
For more information on browsing safely, visit the eSafety Commissioner website.
1800 RESPECT has a mobile app called Daisy, which can be used wherever you are in Australia and can link you to a range of support services. For more information on this mobile app and other mobile safety apps, visit 1800 RESPECT.
Support Services
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence please reach out to one of the following support services.
Emergency Services
In emergency or life threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) for Police, Fire or Ambulance. This could be if someone is seriously injured or in need of urgent medical help, your life or property is in danger right now, or you've just witnessed a serious accident or crime.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call 000 at any time.
- Phone: 000 (24 hours)
- If you are d/Deaf, hard of hearing and/or have a speech impairment, you can also make a call to emergency services through the National Relay Service (NRS).
More information is available on the Emergency Services website.
DV Connect
Domestic Violence Helpline.
- Phone: 1800 811 811 (24 hours)
More information is available on the DV Connect website.
DV Connect Mensline
A free and confidential telephone counselling, referral and support service especially set up for men.
- Phone: 1800 600 636 (9am – midnight, 7 days)
More information is available on the DV Connect Mensline website.
1800RESPECT
Sexual assault, family violence, and domestic violence counselling.
- Phone: 1800 737 732 (24 hours)
More information is available on the 1800RESPECT website.
North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Service
Crises intervention, safety planning, court support and counselling.
- Phone: 07 4721 2888
More information is available on the North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Service website.
The Women’s Centre
Domestic violence counselling, case management, referral following sexual assault and family violence.
- Phone: 07 4775 7555
More information is available on the The Women’s Centre website.
Flora House and Elsie House Women's Shelters (Yumba Meta)
Flora House and Elsie House are safe places for women and children escaping domestic and family violence, in a home-like environment.
These facilities provide access to support services, including a child counsellor and case managers who help individuals and families to navigate the court and legal system, and more.
Elsie House is Townsville’s only shelter specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.
- Phone: 07 4723 5611 (24 hours)
More information is available on the Flora House and Elsie House Women's Shelters (Yumba Meta) website.
Men's Referral Service
Assistance, information and counselling to help men who use family violence.
- Phone: 1300 766 491 (24 hours)
Available for:
- Men who are seeking support to change their behaviours.
- Family members who are impacted by a man’s use of violent and abusive behaviours.
- Friends, family or colleagues of men who may be using family violence and wanting to know how to best support them.
- Professionals working with men who are using violence or family members impacted by violence and seeking secondary consultation.
More information is available on the Men's Referral Service website.
Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)
Co-ordinated response service, specialist detectives, support workers, forensic examiners and medical professionals.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault you can call 000 at any time. If it is an emergency, you can attend your local police station or present to a hospital emergency department.
- Phone: 07 4759 9743 (Sexual Crimes Unit, 24 hours)
- Phone: 07 4775 7555 (Sexual Assault Support Service)
- Phone: 07 4433 1111 (Townsville University Hospital)
More information is available on the SART website.
NQ Women’s Legal Service
Free legal advice.
- Phone: 07 4772 5400
More information is available on the NQ Women’s Legal Service website.
Mensline Australia
Confidential counselling, referral and support for men.
- Phone: 1300 789 978 (24 hours)
More information is available on the Mensline Australia website.
Wee Care Residential Service (Althea Projects)
Crises/Emergency Care for young children up to and including 11 years of age.
- Phone: 07 4772 4499 (24 hours)
More information is available on the Wee Care Residential Service website.
Relationships Australia
Counselling Services for individuals and families
- Phone: 1300 364 277
More information is available on the Relationships Australia website.
Townsville Sexual Health Services
Free sexual and reproductive health clinic.
- Phone: 07 4433 9600 (ask for Sexual Health)
More information is available on the Townsville Sexual Health Services website.
Lifeline
24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services for all Australians experiencing emotional distress.
- Phone: 13 11 14 (24 hours)
More information is available on the Lifeline website.
Kids Helpline
Kids Helpline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone and online chat counselling service for kids, teens, young people, and the adults who care about them.
- Phone: 1800 551 800 (kids helpline, 24 hours)
- Webchat
- My Circle peer support
More information is available on the Kids Helpline website.
QLife
Anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
- Phone: 1800 184 527 (3pm to midnight, every day)
- QLife Webchat (3pm to midnight, every day)
More information is available on the QLife website.
First Nations Women’s Legal Services
Free legal advice and court representation.
- Phone: 07 4721 6007
- Free call: 1800 082 600
- Email: admin@fnwlsq.org.au
More information is available on the First Nations Women’s Legal Services website.
Legal Aid Queensland (Townsville Family Law Duty Lawyer Service)
Free legal advice.
- Phone: 07 4758 5300
More information is available on the Legal Aid Queensland website.
Victim Assist Queensland
Information and advice for victims of crime, and financial assistance.
- Phone: 1300 546 587 (9am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday)
- Email: VictimAssist@justice.qld.gov.au
More information is available on the Victim Assist Queensland website.
Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service
Women’s business, family support service, family wellbeing.
- Phone: 07 4759 4000
More information is available on the Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service website.
Palm Island Women’s Services
Short term crisis accommodation and support for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence.
- Phone: 07 4791 4010 or 07 4791 4011
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (with on-call intake of referrals accepted 24 hours 7 days a week).
More information is available on the Palm Island Women’s Services website.
Sisters Inside
Supports criminalised women and girls, and their children, both inside and outside prison with specialised programs and support, including sexual assault counselling.
- Phone: 07 4772 4445 (Townsville Office)
- Phone: 1800 290 662 (Townsville Freecall)
More information is available on the Sisters Inside website.
Community Gro (Upper Ross Community Centre)
Family wellbeing and crisis support, referrals and advocacy.
- Phone: 07 4774 0144
More information is available on the Community Gro website.
Elder Abuse Hotline
A contact point for anyone who experiences, witnesses or suspects that an older person is being abused by someone they know and trust.
- Phone: 1300 651 192 (within Queensland)
- Phone: 07 3867 2525 (rest of Australia)
- Hours: 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday
More information is available on the Elder Abuse Prevention Unit website.
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)
TIS National is an interpreting service provided by the Department of Home Affairs for people with limited English proficiency.
Immediate phone interpreting:
- Phone: 131 450 (within Australia, 24 hours)
- Phone: +613 9268 8332 (outside Australia, 24 hours).
Automated telephone interpreting service (ATIS):
- Phone: 1800 131 450 (24 hours).
More information is available on the Translating and Interpreting Service website.
