Australian Help Lines and Crisis Services
- Lifeline provide a wonderful 24/7 crisis support service by calling 13 11 14, or visiting their website where they now offer an online chat support function.
- Enough is Enough is a great website dedicated to the prevention of all types of violence. It contains a wealth of resources and is well worth a look.
- Reach Out is an online resource containing much needed information and advice on all types of violence, much of the information is targeted at teens and violence prevention.
- W.I.R.E provides a free information, support and referral service for victims of violence.
- Hurt is an interactive website designed to raise awareness about family violence and sexual assault.
Books
Aphrodite Wounded is a wonderful site containing various resources for victims and survivors of domestic violence, particularly partner rape. I can not recommend enough a book written by Patricia Easteal and Louise McOrmond-Plummer, titled 'Real Rape, Real Pain: Help for Women Sexually Assaulted by Male Partners'
'You Can Be Free: An Easy-To-Read Handbook for Abused Women' - Gina NiCarthy and Sue Davidson
While the awareness of domestic violence in our society has grown, so has the problem. This text is aimed at women who need a simple and straight forward to digest about this crime. It covers a wide range of topics designed to help women who want to leave an abusive relationship: how to identify the different types of abuse; where to go to ask for emergency shelter; how to get help from professionals; and how to stay safe after leaving and protect any children involved.
'It's My LIfe Now: Starting Over After an Abusive Relationship or Domestic Violence' - Meg Kennedy Dugan and Roger R. Hock
Those who have never experienced an abusive or violent relationship often believe that upon finding a way out, victims' difficulties are solved: their life is good, they are safe and, recovery will be swift. However, survivors know that leaving is not the end of the nightmare -- it is the beginning of an often difficult and challenging journey toward healing and happiness. This book offers readers the practical guidance, emotional reassurance, and psychological awareness that survivors of relationship abuse and domestic violence need to heal and reclaim their lives after leaving their abusers.