IN AN EMERGENCY PHONE: 000
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Mercy Foundation is not a direct service provider and is not able to directly assist individuals or families.
This page provides telephone numbers and links to services across Australia.
1800Respect
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Phone: 1800 737 732
Australia’s national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service.
Life Line
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Phone: 13 11 14
Lifeline provides Australians who are experiencing emotional distress access to 24-hour crisis support, suicide prevention, mental health, and domestic and family violence prevention services.
What to do if you think someone is caught in modern slavery
- Check immediate safety. If anyone is in danger, call 000.
- Don’t confront the suspected exploiter. It may endanger the person.
- Report and get advice:
- Phone: 131 AFP (131 237) – Australian Federal Police (confidential).
- Phone: 1800 FREEDOM – NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner (advice, referrals).
- Phone: 02 9514 8115 – Anti-Slavery Australia – free confidential legal & migration advice:
ASALegal@uts.edu.au
- Support informed choice & privacy. Obtain consent before reporting on someone’s behalf when safe.
- Use an interpreter if needed: 131 450.
My Blue Sky
Phone: 02 9514 8115
Text: +61 481 070 844
Email: help@mybluesky.org.au
My Blue Sky is run by Anti-Slavery Australia and provides free legal and migration support to people experiencing forced marriage and other forms of modern slavery in Australia.
Australian Federal Police
Phone: 131 237
If you think you might be experiencing modern slavery, or could be at risk, contact the Australian Federal Police (AFP) on 131 237 (131 AFP). You can also visit the Australian Federal Police website for help.
The Australian Federal Police can help keep you safe. They can provide advice and connect you to support services that can find somewhere for you to stay, financial support, counselling and legal and immigration advice. This can include referring you – if you are eligible – to the government-funded support program delivered by the Australian Red Cross.
Other Community Service Providers
Organisations that are not part of the police or government can help if you are in or at risk of modern slavery – including if you are being forced to work or marry.
See Support services for organisations that can help you:
- access free and confidential support,
- understand your rights and options,
- access free legal advice about your experience of modern slavery, and related issues, e.g. your visa,
- with your immediate safety and wellbeing needs.
The following organisations can refer you – if you are eligible – to the government-funded Support for Trafficked People Program delivered by the Australian Red Cross:
The Salvation Army
Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Phone: 1800 000 277
Anti-Slavery Australia
Monday – Friday: 9:00am–5:00pm AET
Phone: 02 9514 8115
Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights
Phone: 03 9481 3000
Project Respect
Monday – Friday: 9:00am–5:00pm AET
Phone: 03 9416 3401
Phone, text or WhatsApp: 0494 027 641
Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Workers Association
Tuesdays and Thursdays
Phone: 02 9517 2855
Life Without Barriers
Phone: 1800 403 413
You can access the government-funded Forced Marriage Specialist Support Program by contacting Life Without Barriers directly.
Are You Overseas?
The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance to Australian citizens overseas (see Consular Services Charter for more information about who can be assisted).
Phone: +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas,
or
Phone: 1300 555 135 from within Australia.