Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault can happen to anyone - male or female, young or old, but it is mainly the experience of women and children. There are services available across Northern Rivers to assist anyone who has been subject to sexual assault. The contact numbers for the services are below.

Richmond Sexual Assault Service

The Richmond Sexual Assault Service covers Lismore, Ballina, Richmond, Byron, Casino and Kyogle and surrounding areas. It is available 24 hours a day for adults and children,
Contact: (02) 66 202970 during business hours
(02) 66 218000 after hours.

This service provides:

24 crisis help, including counselling, medical care and legal information
24 hour crisis telephone counselling. Callers can remain anonymous if they just wish to talk
Confidentiality except for child abuse matters
Trained female counsellors and doctors
Follow-up support, advocacy and information regarding legal, medical and social issues
Understanding of the needs of men who have been sexually assaulted and other groups- those who are Aboriginal, lesbian, disabled, psychiatrically ill, transgender, or of non English speaking background
Help for non-offending parents of child victims,other family members and support persons
Community education
Literature and resources on sexual assault
Specialist consultation for other services on sexual assault matters

Tweed Valley Sexual Assault Service

The Tweed Valley Sexual Assault Service covers Tweed Shire, Tweed coast, Murwillumbah and surrounding villages. The service is available 24 hours a day.
Contact: (07) 5506 7540 in business hours
(07) 5506 7416 after hours

This service provides counselling and support to assist individuals for have been subject to sexual assault. The Tweed Valley Sexual Assault service offers similar sevices to those listed above in Richmond and also runs groups for survivors of sexual assault, including adults, young people, and children.

Grafton Sexual Assault Service

This service provides counselling and support to assist individuals who have been subject to sexual assault. Recruitment to fill the Grafton Sexual Assault position is currently underway. At present, the service is being provided from Lismore until the new person has been recruited. For recent sexual assault,
Contact: (02) 66 202970 during business hours
(02) 66 21800 after hours (Lismore Base Hospital).
This service is available 24 hours a day.
For non-recent sexual assault, contact Richmond Sexual Assault for information on referrals.

Koori Community Caring for Women

This service focuses on Community development, education, information and referral for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander women around domestic violence and sexual assault issues. The service covers the Richmond Valley from its base in Goonellabah.
Contact: (02) 6625 0111

Violence Against Women

This is a project of the NSW Attorney General's Department, hosted by NRAHS. It"s current focus is on the promotion of integrated responses to domestic violence, work with Aboriginal communities to prevent family violence, the prevention of sexual assault (including a focus on criminal justice issues and service provision) and the development of awareness campaigns targeting young people and men.
Contact: (02) 6620 2132
Location: Lismore