Lifeline records biggest number of calls and support online as Australia grapples with domestic violence crisis

Thousands rallied across the country on Sunday after 25 women died violently from gender-based violence this year. (ABC News: Sean Tarek Goodwin)

Lifeline says it was contacted by a record number of people on Sunday, following a week of renewed spotlight on the severity of violence against women in Australia.

The national crisis support service group said it received almost 3,500 voice calls to their 24/7 hotline on Sunday in the highest number it has got on one day so far this year.

It also fielded nearly 1,000 text and webchat messages on that day, in what the charity says is the second highest amount ever.

[graph]

When calls and digital contacts are combined, it ranks as the Lifeline’s busiest day on record with a level of people seeking support 20 per cent above the annual average.

Lifeline researcher Dr Tara Hunt said that while the services are confidential and anonymous, call volumes tend to surge when there are compounding stresses felt collectively.

“This variation in magnitude really does reflect the amount of distress that the Australian community is experiencing at the moment … [about] the horrific incidents of violence against women that has really come to the forefront over recent days and weeks,” Dr Hunt said.

The latest figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show that an estimated 3.8 million Australians have reported experiencing physical and/or sexual family and domestic violence since the age of 15 — equating to 20 per cent of the population.

This year, 25 women have died violently from gender-based violence, including NSW woman Molly Ticehurst who was found dead last week.

Thousands of people across the country marched at rallies on Sunday, demanding an end to the family and domestic violence national crisis.

“This really hits home very closely to everybody, when the details of these sad and horrific events are in the media,” Dr Hunt said.

“It’s something that a lot of people need to live with but there’s really no escaping it.”

Dr Hunt said the increase in calls could also be seen as a sign that people are reaching out and talking — as victim-survivors, or people concerned about themselves or someone they know.

“Lifeline exists to make sure that no person in Australia has to face their darkest moments alone, and we exist for everybody to provide empathetic and non-judgemental support,” she said.

Dr Hunt added the charity implements a dedicated training program for its frontline workers and community members to identify, reduce and prevent domestic and family violence, by acting as a soundboard and recommending relevant services.

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said the spike in calls was “heartbreaking” and said the NSW government recognised people are really struggling at the moment.

“I’d like to acknowledge that particularly for people with more complex mental illnesses, it can be difficult to navigate through and find the support that you need … for people right now who are just feeling a little bit stressed and anxious,” she said.

“We’ve increased funding for [Lifeline] so that people can call and chat and text at any time, but you know, these services are critically important right now.”

Dr Hunt said gendered violence prevention was everyone’s responsibility, and often begins with building connections to let victim-survivors know they are not alone.

“It’s really important that everybody has conversations in their families and with their friends about violence, about what is appropriate and safe.

“[It] really creates an open environment for people to reach out when they’re experiencing challenges.”