When it’s all about you

ACON’s Anti-Violence Project covers a lot of ground in responding to violence or abuse experienced by our communities and working to maintain safer GLBT spaces or environments.

We respond to a broad range of incidents, one-off and ongoing, across a wide variety of settings – on the street, in relationships (DV) or families, in neighbourhoods, at work, at school/TAFE or University, on line, by mail, at beats, in venues, at parties, or a range of other locations and situations.

The people we support may have experienced verbal abuse, physical assault, harassment, intimidation, stalking, threats, blackmail, bullying, robbery, property damage, sexual assault, drink spiking, attempted physical assault or assault with a weapon.

The stress experienced can be exacerbated by the processes of reporting to police, negotiating legal systems, trying to find support or someone to safely talk to, or by being isolated in regional NSW.

Experience of violence can engender trauma, fear, anxiety, grief and loss, depression, lack of safe housing, isolation or feelings of powerlessness.

Violence may also trigger past experiences of abuse or trauma. It can negatively impact on relationships, work, study, confidence or finances and can result in coping strategies such as drug or alcohol use.

Support is essential in these circumstances and partners, friends or families are the frontline in this respect.

ACON’s Anti-Violence Project also works with a range of other ACON services to support people experiencing violence and this includes accessible, affordable, confidential, relevant, safe and trusted counselling from our counselling team.

This team aim to; listen to you talk about your thoughts, feelings, problems or concerns; provide emotional and other support; help you to better manage difficult situations; and link you in with other services that can provide assistance.

If you feel counselling might be right for you, please call our Intake and Assessment Officer 11 – 1, Monday to Friday who will listen and talk about services available.

Tel: (02) 9206 2000
Free Call: 1800 063 060
Hearing Impaired: (02) 9283 2088
Email: [email protected]
Web: Access to counselling services

For other information and support, or to make a report to the AVP, please contact [email protected] or (02) 9206 2116 or 1800 063 060 http://www.acon.org.au/anti-violence.

Police Assistance line: 131 444, or in an emergency call 000.

By ROBERT KNAPMAN, Lesbian and Gay Anti-Violence Project