Support Services

At SAMSSA our counselling services are free of charge and we can offer victims/survivors with support and advocacy and also provide support to non-offending partners who have been sexually assaulted and others supporting victims/survivors.

We are client centred, work within a trauma model framework and can provide support to survivors regardless of how long ago their experiences of sexual assault or abuse occurred. We are also confidential – except when there is a risk of harm which we can discuss with you further – and workers are trained in counselling and supporting survivors of sexual assault and abuse.

You can access our crisis line which operates between 7:00am and 11:00pm, 7 days a week and is staffed by female crisis counsellors. The crisis line is run by the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre and is available for male survivors of sexual assault.

We can also support you in:

  • Making statements to the police (see Reporting To Police)
  • Attending the Forensic Medical Sexual Assault Care (FAMSAC) service (see Going To Hospital).
  • We can provide advocacy for clients through criminal justice proceedings (see Reporting Sexual Assault and Criminal Proceedings)
  • Systems advocacy such as with the Department of Housing where the assault took place in the home or the offender knows the victim/survivors location.
  • We can also provide referrals to private practitioners and other survivors which may assist in your recovery process.


If you would like to know more please contact us through one of the ways listed on our Contact Us page.