About Us
The Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL) is Victoria’s statewide afterhours service, providing confidential telephone crisis counselling, information and referrals for victim/survivors of past and recent sexual assault and sexual violence.
SACL operates from 5pm through to 9am weekdays, and 24 hours over weekends and public holidays.
During business hours, you will be directed through to your local Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA).
Our Service Philosophy
We believe victim/survivors are the experts in their own lives. We recognise the strength, resilience and survival skills that each person already has. Our counselling, information and advocacy services are built around listening, respecting your choices, and supporting you to decide what feels right for you.
We work through an intersectional feminist lens. This means we understand that sexual assault is about abuse of power and control, not about the victim’s actions. We also recognise that people’s experiences are shaped by many parts of who they are, such as their gender, culture, race, disability, sexuality, age, income or immigration status. These factors can affect both the violence they experience, and the barriers they face when seeking help. We are committed to being inclusive and responsive to these different experiences.
We also work in a trauma-informed way. This means we understand how trauma can affect the body, mind and emotions. We aim to avoid causing further harm and to create a space where you feel believed, respected and supported.
We are guided by a victims’ rights framework. We challenge harmful myths and misconceptions about sexual assault, especially beliefs that blame victims instead of holding offenders responsible.
Sexual assault is never the victim’s fault.
