MHS proud to deliver world-class national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service

Medibank Health Solutions (MHS) welcomes the report from the University of New South Wales and the Australian Government’s announcement of an open and competitive procurement process for the ongoing provision of 1800RESPECT, the nation’s confidential online and telephone sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service.

MHS is proud to have been running and improving the service since its inception in 2010, more recently with the expertise and commitment of five not-for-profit partners from across Australia.

More Australians than ever before are contacting 1800RESPECT for support with the knowledge that they will be believed and listened to without being judged.

1800RESPECT provides a high-quality service for people 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

Demand for 1800RESPECT has rapidly grown since it started operating in 2010 when it was estimated the service would receive 20,000 calls each year. During the 2018-19 financial year 1800RESPECT responded to more than 163,000 phone and online contacts – a 66 per cent increase from the previous year.

MHS looks forward to continuing to work closely with the Australian Government to ensure the service continues to deliver world-class counselling services in the face of growing demand pressures for the remainder of the contract period.

We acknowledge the service continues to face challenges, along with other telehealth and call centre providers, around frequent callers with complex needs.

Frequent callers with complex needs need to be supported in a sensitive way that also ensures they are able to receive urgent help, followed by the tailored care they need via face-to-face local-based services.

Since the UNSW report was drafted, MHS has been developing strategies for frequent callers, in partnership with key sector experts and the Australian Government. These strategies are now in place.

The UNSW report found 1800RESPECT is delivering a quality counselling service that is highly regarded by callers, employees, the sector and stakeholders.

1800RESPECT’s focus has always been on how we provide a world-class national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service.

  For all media enquires please contact:
Jacinta Smith
E: jacinta.smith@medibank.com.au
P: +61 430 755 537

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au.

1800RESPECT is a national service that provides confidential information, referral, counselling and support for all Australians impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence. This includes telephone and online information and counselling as well as capacity-building resources to support workers and professionals (such as online toolkits, newsletters and webinars). 1800RESPECT also hosts the Daisy app which provides localised information on support services.

MHS has delivered the 1800RESPECT service on behalf of the Australian Government as part of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children since 2010. It is delivered through an arrangement with five not-for-profit partners including safe steps Family Violence Response Centre in Victoria, Women’s Safety Services South Australia, DVConnect in Queensland, Canberra Rape Crisis Centre in the ACT and On the Line in Victoria.