Family Violence Support: Confidential Help Available

You Are Not Alone

Family violence affects people from all backgrounds, cultures, and income levels. In Australia, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 13 men have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner. Within the Chinese Australian community, family violence exists but is often hidden due to cultural factors including face (面子), family reputation, immigration dependency, and language barriers that make it harder to seek help.

If you are experiencing family violence — physical, emotional, financial, or sexual — help is available in your language, for free, and confidentially. Your immigration status will NOT be affected by seeking help, and you do NOT need to be a citizen or permanent resident to access protection.

Emergency Numbers

• 000 (Emergency): Call if you are in immediate danger. Police will respond. Interpreter services are available.
• 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732): 24/7 national family violence hotline. Free. Confidential. Interpreters available for Mandarin, Cantonese, and other languages. This is the first number to call if you need advice or support.
• Lifeline (13 11 14): 24/7 crisis support. Multilingual.
• Translating and Interpreting Service (131 450): Free interpreters for all government and crisis services.

Chinese-Language Support Services

These organisations specifically serve Chinese-speaking communities:

• CASS (Chinese Australian Services Society) — NSW: Free Mandarin and Cantonese counselling, case management, legal referrals. Phone: (02) 9789 4587. Experienced in supporting Chinese women facing family violence. Understanding of cultural context.
• inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence — VIC: Multilingual family violence service. Mandarin and Cantonese support. Phone: 1800 755 988.
• Immigrant Womens Domestic Violence Service — NSW: Specialist support for immigrant women. Can help regardless of visa status. Phone: (02) 8745 6999.

Your Legal Rights

Australian law protects ALL residents from family violence, regardless of visa status:

• Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) / Intervention Order: A court order preventing the abuser from contacting or approaching you. Free to apply through police or court. Police can issue a provisional order immediately at the scene for urgent protection.
• Family violence visa provisions: If you are on a partner visa and experience family violence, you can still be granted permanent residency even if the relationship has ended. This is specifically designed so visa holders are not trapped in violent relationships.
• You will NOT be deported for seeking help. Immigration authorities have policies protecting victims of family violence. Accessing police, courts, or support services will not trigger visa cancellation.
• Financial abuse is family violence. If your partner controls your money, prevents you from working, or forces you to hand over your income, this is recognised as family violence under Australian law and you are entitled to protection and support.

Safety Planning

If you are planning to leave a violent situation, preparation increases safety:

• Call 1800RESPECT to create a safety plan with a professional counsellor
• Keep copies of important documents (passport, visa, Medicare card, bank details) in a safe place outside the home — with a trusted friend, in a locker, or electronically in cloud storage
• Save emergency money if possible — even small amounts add up. Open a separate bank account the abuser doesnt know about
• Tell a trusted friend or family member about your situation
• If you use WeChat, be aware that your partner may monitor your messages. Use a separate or secure messaging app for contacting support services. 1800RESPECT also offers online chat.
• Plan a safe time to leave — services can arrange emergency accommodation, transport, and support