Home / Health / Helpline Boosted Amid Call Surge
Helpline Boosted Amid Call Surge
25 Nov, 2025
Summary
- National domestic violence helpline receives $41.8m funding boost.
- Service 1800 Respect experienced a significant increase in calls.
- Minister urges governments to enhance victim protection efforts.

A vital national domestic violence helpline, 1800 Respect, will receive a substantial $41.8 million funding increase. This significant investment aims to accommodate a dramatic rise in calls for help, ensuring more individuals can access crucial support.
The service, which has been operational since 2010, offers confidential information, counselling, and support to those experiencing domestic and family violence. In the past financial year alone, it managed over 342,000 contacts through calls, chats, and texts.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek highlighted the helpline's transformative impact and urged all governments to strengthen victim protection, particularly following investigations into systemic failures in addressing domestic violence fatalities.