Counselling & Support
Sexual Assault Counselling
TSAS provides free and confidential trauma informed counselling, advocacy and support services to children, young people and non-offending adults who have experienced recent or historical sexual abuse or sexual violence. TSAS offers short to medium term counselling based on individual needs. Office based and outreach services are provided across the following Local Government Areas: Tablelands Regional Council, Mareeba Shire Council, Etheridge Shire Council and Croydon Shire Council.
To inquire about counselling support or to make a referral call 07 40914036 or email intake@tsas.org.au
Other service providers can download the TSAS referral form here.
Crisis Support and Reporting Sexual Assault
Immediate Danger:
If you have been sexually assaulted and are in immediate danger call 000.
Monday – Friday (9am – 5pm):
Call TSAS on 07 40914036
For afterhours support call:
1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
KIDS HELPLINE: 1800 551 800
MENSLINE: 1300 224 636
LIFELINE: 13 11 14
13YARN: 13 92 76
BEYOND BLUE: 1300 224 626
Sexual Assault Reporting Options:
The Queensland Police Service have put together some information about your reporting options and answers to the questions you might have.
If you would like support engaging with the police, please contact TSAS on 07 40914036.
What to expect from counselling
Counselling at TSAS is a partnership between our caring, trauma informed specialist practitioners and you. We aim to create a safe, nurturing and hopeful environment where you are able to share your story and make sense of it. We do not ask you to retell your experience, instead focusing on where you are at now. We provide guidance, resources and unwavering support so that you can develop new skills and confidence in moving forward with your life.
We will work with you at your pace, using a wide range of therapeutic and creative approaches that are empowering and purposeful. Some of these include narrative, emotion focused, expressive therapies, cognitive strategies, body based, strengths based and family-based interventions. Read more about our Practice Framework: here.
Our practitioners can also offer short-term case management, referrals, advocacy and support for you to navigate medical, health, legal and court service systems.
Support for Families and Carers
Learning that someone you care about has been sexually abused or assaulted can be devastating and you may experience a range of conflicting and overwhelming feelings. TSAS specialist practitioners can provide information, support and short-term counselling to non-offending parents, carers, siblings, partners or other family members.
Parents or carers of children and young people who are attending TSAS for counselling can also be supported to explore ways to understand and best support their loved ones.
Inappropriate or Harmful Sexual Behaviours Program
Inappropriate Sexual Behaviours (ISB) or Harmful Sexual Behaviours (HSB) are sexualised behaviours displayed by children or young people that are deemed to be outside of developmental and age-appropriate expectations. The behaviours can be recognised as concerning, very concerning or very serious/ extreme. At TSAS we work with children and young people to understand, educate, change, and prevent the behaviours from continuing.
Our program is informed by child development, ecological systems theory, attachment and trauma informed practices that recognise behaviours as a form of communication often indicating an emotional need within the child or family system. It is important to recognise that ISB or HSB is not always an indicator that a child has been sexually harmed but often occurs in response to trauma and other emotional or distressing experiences within the child or young person’s life. We encourage parents and carers to contact TSAS if they have worries and not be silenced by shame.
Group Programs
Women’s Survivors Group:
The TSAS Women’s Survivors Group is free and open to all women who have been impacted by any form of violence or harm (e.g. sexual assault, DV etc). The group meet fortnightly and enjoy a morning of art and craft, coffee, conversations and supportive companionship. The concept of communal groups and peer to peer support builds on a long tradition of women coming together to problem solve, build connections, and strengthen communities. The TSAS Women’s Survivors support group is a self-directed space, with no expectations around contribution. The group is supported by TSAS specialist practitioners. Download the flyer here
Young Women’s Survivors Group:
The TSAS Young Women’s Group provides a youth focused school holiday group program for high school aged sexual assault survivors who identify as female. This is a free group which is safe and fun, activity based, and centred around the themes of self-care and empowerment.
Men’s Support Program:
Please contact TSAS on 07 40914036 or tsas@tsas.org.au for further information.