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.”