Free specialist counselling supports for victim-survivors of abuse
There are a number of specialist support services and helplines that offer free counselling and other support for children and adults who have been victims of sexual abuse. Some of these services provide advice and support options for family members.
More information on these specialist support services is available at Support services for victim-survivors of child sexual abuse.
For urgent crisis counselling support contact the Sexual Assault Crisis Line, a statewide, after-hours confidential telephone counselling service for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault. Call 1800 806 292.
Financial support for counselling sessions with a counsellor of your choice
We know that some people may prefer to see a private counsellor of their choice. The department can pay for up to 20 counselling sessions for current or former students of a Victorian government school who report that they have been sexually abused by an adult working in that school.
Who can apply
Current or former students of a Victorian government school, who disclose they have been sexually abused by an adult working in that school, can apply to the Department of Education for financial payments for counselling.
Counselling assistance payments are also available to immediate family members.
You can apply for counselling assistance payments without having made a police report, and without bringing a legal claim.
What counselling assistance payments can offer
- Choice – work with any registered counsellor or psychologist. If you choose somebody and they are not right for you, you can change practitioner.
- 20 fully-funded sessions in total – no out-of-pocket costs for you.
- Confidential – your privacy will be protected. More information is available at How we handle your information.
- Your legal rights – these payments won’t affect your right to bring a legal claim, or to access the National Redress Scheme.
How the counselling assistance payments work
It is a simple process designed to be as easy as possible for applicants.
Step 1
Contact the department’s Restorative Engagement and Support team by calling 03 9057 4500, or emailing rest@education.vic.gov.au.
We’ll get back to you within five business days with the information and application form that’s right for your situation.
Step 2
Complete the application form.
You can complete the form on your own, with the help of someone you trust, or we can complete it with you over the phone.
The form only asks for the minimum information we need to consider your application, including:
- your name, date of birth, and contact details (as well as identity documentation, such as a copy of your driver's licence or passport)
- the name of the school you went to
- information about the person who harmed you – such as their name, their role or other identifying information – you so we can check our records.
You don't need to tell us the details of your experience, unless you want to.
Step 3
We aim to get back to applicants within 2 weeks. It can sometimes take longer if we're having difficulties finding records.
We’ll send you an email when your application has been approved.
Once you let us know the name of your practitioner, we will work with your practitioner to make sure we can pay them directly and then you can begin sessions.
Step 4
Your practitioner will handle the billing directly with us.
How counselling can help
Counselling looks different for everyone. You might want to have sessions regularly, or you might prefer to space the sessions out for when you need them.
Some people focus on specific issues and understanding the impacts of past harmful experiences, while others might choose to focus on general strategies to improve wellbeing.
Accessing the 20 counselling sessions funded by the department does not limit your ability to access Medicare-funded Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) sessions. You can choose to use one or both types of support, depending on what feels right for you.
Need help finding a counsellor
If you don't have a counsellor and want to find one, your General Practitioner can support you to find someone suitable. You can also search for a counsellor directly on the Trauma Support Providers: Directory for Victim Survivors.
If you have further questions
If you have questions about the counselling assistance payments, the application process, or anything else, please contact us.
You can reach us by:
- phone: 03 9057 4500
- email: rest@education.vic.gov.au
- via the online form at Contact the Restorative Engagement and Support team.
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