1800 RESPECT women's privacy
1800 RESPECT women's privacy | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news 1800 RESPECT women's privacy 2026-03-18 Reporting in News.com.au today has confirmed that the private records of victim-survivors of family, domestic or sexual violence held by the government-funded support service 1800 RESPECT are being successfully subpoenaed by their perpetrators on a weekly basis.
An independent review into 1800 RESPECT commissioned by the Department of Social Services last year revealed many issues. Labor did not release the report or address concerns, but announced a funding increase to the service during 16 Days of Activism Lines attributable to Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Larissa Waters “Reaching out for help in the aftermath of family violence or sexual assault is one of the most difficult things to do.
Seeking support should not be weaponised, and no one should have to worry their private conversations will be given to their rapist or abuser. “The Department of Social Services has been warned of risks to privacy and other issues with 1800 RESPECT for years. It appears those concerns were confirmed by an independent review last year, yet the government increased funding to this referral service rather than to specialist frontline organisations.
“Funding to referral services like 1800 RESPECT doesn’t solve the problem when the services that they refer to remain grossly underfunded. Too many women are being referred on to services that can't meet their needs or waiting 12 - 18 months for expert sexual assault counselling. It’s simply not good enough.
“Bringing violence against women into the spotlight and encouraging women to seek help is critical. But if help is not there because there isn’t enough funding, or if women stay silent for fear their conversations will be weaponised by their rapists, we are letting women down again. “Victim-survivors must be able to access specialist counselling without fear.
All States and the Commonwealth should implement clear protections preventing sexual assault counselling files from being released. “The government must ensure that 1800 RESPECT and all frontline services understand the legal protections available and have the funding needed for any legal challenge to a subpoena. “Moreover as the Greens said at the time, 1800 RESPECT should have remained being delivered by the sector with trauma-informed counsellors, and should never have been given to a for-profit health company to administer.” Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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