Family safety
Your safety matters most
If you're worried about your safety, or the safety of a child or someone else, support is available. This page explains how safety is considered in mediation, and lists services you can contact now.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000.
Support services
These national services are free and confidential. Many offer phone, text and online chat.
Police, ambulance and fire, when someone is in immediate danger.
24/7 national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling and support. You can also text 0458 737 732.
24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention.
24/7 support for children and young people aged 5–25.
Information and advice about family relationships and separation, plus referrals. Weekdays 8am–8pm, Saturdays 10am–4pm.
24/7 support for men with family and relationship concerns.
For men who want to change abusive or violent behaviour, and for people concerned about a man's behaviour.
Free information and referral for anyone concerned about elder abuse.
24/7 crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
If you're worried someone is monitoring your device, consider using a safer computer or phone or a private browsing window, and clear your browsing history afterwards. 1800RESPECT has more information about technology safety.
Safety and mediation
When mediation may not be appropriate
Mediation relies on each person being able to take part freely and safely, and to speak up for themselves. It may not be appropriate where there is or has been:
- family or domestic violence, including physical, emotional, financial, technology-facilitated or sexual abuse
- coercive control, intimidation or threats
- child abuse, or a risk to a child's safety
- a significant imbalance of power that would stop someone negotiating freely
- serious mental health, drug or alcohol concerns that would affect safe participation
How we consider safety
Every family matter starts with a private, individual intake session. The practitioner talks with each person separately about their circumstances, including any history of violence or fear, and assesses whether mediation is safe and suitable. This assessment continues throughout the process.
Where mediation can go ahead safely, we may use separate virtual rooms, staggered start and finish times, support people or other safeguards. Where it isn't appropriate, we'll explain your options and refer you to support.
Please don't use our website form to tell us about violence or abuse
Our enquiry form isn't a safety screening tool and isn't monitored around the clock. Please share safety concerns in your private intake session. If you need help now, contact one of the services above.