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Personal Support and Safety

We know that good preparation and well-implemented strategies can not only improve the quality of life of our residents but also save lives.
Sydney enjoys a reputation as one of the safest and most liveable cities in the world. From time to time, there can be emergencies. Severe storms with strong winds and lightning strikes, heavy rainfall and flash flooding, and extreme heat during a heatwave are the most likely emergency.
It’s our priority to do everything in our power to ensure that our students have access to help when needed and feel safe at home and work.

Emergency Services

In the event of an emergency on campus, follow the emergency plan and the instructions from our safety and emergency wardens.

Police Off campus – emergency: Dial 000

Police Off campus – not emergency: Dial 02 9265 6499 for local police station

Crime Stoppers  1800 333 000

Police Assistance Line  131 444

Domestic Violence – 1800656463 (Department of Community and Family Services)

Child Protection Hotline – 132111 (Department of Community and Family Services)

The SAHE office is open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm during the term. To speak with staff outside office hours in an emergency, call 0452 229 868.

 

Hospitals 

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Emergency – 9515 6111

St Vincent’s Hospital Psychiatric Emergency Care – 8382 111
Sydney Hospital – 02 9382 7111
Sydney Eye Hospital 02 9382 7354

Aboriginal Medical Service – 9319 5823

Central Sydney Area Mental Health Service – 9515 9000 (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm)

Central Sydney Area Sexual Health Service – 9560 3057 (Monday – Friday, 8.45am – 4.45pm)

Medical Services

–        Dr Lun General Practice 8 Quay Street Haymarket

–        Sydney Central Medical Center, Level 3 Suite 306 451 Pitt St Haymarket

–        Worldciti Medical, Level 1, 710 Geroge Str Haymarket

–        Haymarket Medical Clinic, World Square, Level 5 Suite 53 650 George Street Sydney

Libraries

On campus: Use our academic online and physical library.  Speak with our staff at reception to find out more.

Off campus: Free membership of local libraries is available for all students.

City of Sydney Library: Phone 92659333 Email: Library@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Darling Square library is closest library: Levels 1 and 2, 1 Little Pier Street Haymarket.  https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/libraries/darling-square-library

All libraries: https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/libraries

 

Legal Services

Inner City Legal Centre – Legal services are provided through advice, representation and advocacy.

02 9332 1966 (Office), 1800 244 481 (Toll Free), 0466 724 979

Shopfront Youth Legal Centre – Free advice for young people under 25 in the Sydney Metro Area.

Phone: 93224808 

Email: https://www.theshopfront.org

Redfern Legal Centre – Free legal advice.

Phone: 93987277

Email: info@rlc.org.au

HopeStreet Women’s Space Services for women including counselling and advocacy.

Phone: 0432557091 

Email: https://www.hopestreet.org.au

Aboriginal Legal Service – Advice and assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Phone: 92134100 

Email: community@alsnswact.org.au

Information and Privacy Commission NSW

Phone: 1800472679

Email: ipcinfo@ipc.nsw.gov.au

Commonwealth Ombudsman

Phone: 1300362072 obudsman@ombudsman.gov.au

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Sydney)

Phone: 92309133  https://www.accc.gov.au

Well-being resources

It’s normal to need a bit of extra help from time to time as you are trying to manage your studies, the demands of everyday life and perhaps the added challenge of adjusting to a new culture.  The contacts on this page are useful resources so that you can get the help you need for coping with your studies and with life in general.

Southern Academy International Student Officer

Please contact: Student Services

Email: StudentServices@sahe.nsw.edu.au

Free National Helplines

Lifeline: Call if you are feeling overwhelmed, if you are worried about someone else or you need help in a crisis.
    Phone 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service: A nationwide service for people affected by suicide.
    Phone 1300 659 467 or visit www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Alcohol and Drug Information Service: A free 24 hour support line on 1800 250 015.

Gamblers Anonymous: Assistance for compulsive gamblers, and their family and friends 9726 6625 ga_nsw@hotmail.com

Websites:

Some of the following sites provide helpful fact sheets, self-assessment and tracking tools, and other resources to support mental health and wellbeing:

Black Dog Institute: This website has many useful resources to support mental health. Visit www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

Head to Health: This website can help you find digital mental health services from trusted organisations.  Visit www.headtohealth.gov.au

Reach Out: The most accessed online mental health service for young people in Australia. Find self-help information, peer support and referral tools.  Visit https://au.reachout.com/

SANE: This website has useful resources for people with recurring, persistent or complex mental health issues and trauma, and for their families, friends and communities. Visit https://www.sane.org/ 

Beyond Blue: This website has many mental health information and support. Visit https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Health and Leisure 

A big part of leading balanced and healthy lives, is to be part of a community. Here are some ways you can build community.

Midnight Basketball – a late night social basketball competition providing high energy, fun, social, inclusive, healthy, safe, motivating and free tournaments; email: info@midnightrbasketball.org.au

Redfern Community Centre – Call 9288 5713

The Centre for Volunteering – Connects people and organisations in order to enrich the community. Visit: https://www.volunteering.com.au/

Big Brother Big Sisters of Australia – Provides one to one mentoring programs for young people aged 7-17 years of age. Call  1300463686.

 

Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment

CONSENT and SASH (Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment)
Good relationships are all about respecting and trusting each other. At the heart of enjoyable, healthy and safe sexual experiences is a focus on consent. Always make sure that your partner gives their consent before engaging in sexual activity.

Consent is the free and voluntary agreement to willingly engage in sexual activity of any kind. You know you have consent if you get an enthusiastic ‘yes’ (verbal or non-verbal) from the other person that indicates they want to participate in the sexual activity. Remember that they have the right to change their mind at any time. If they ask to stop, or give signs that they are uncomfortable, do not keep going or try to persuade them to keep engaging in the sexual activity. Consent cannot be assumed where a person:

  • is silent
  • is not fighting back
  • says ‘no’ or ‘maybe’
  • is forced or coerced
  • is threatened or manipulated by authority

 

What can I do?

Ensure safety: If you believe there is an immediate risk to yourself or another person on campus, speak to our staff ; or for off campus, call 000.

Seek advice: You can seek confidential advice from Student Services.  We’ll help to:

  • keep you safe
  • connect you with the most appropriate support services for your situation
  • give you information on your formal reporting options so that you can make decisions that are right for you
  • assist you with the reporting process, if you decide to make a formal report

 

How do I help someone else?
If someone you know has experienced sexual harassment, you should encourage them to discuss the matter with Student Services, a counsellor or GP, who can provide them with information, advice and support specific to their circumstances. Student Services can also provide advice for you to pass on to another person.

 

OFF CAMPUS
RESPOND
Police 000

REPORT
Police Assistance Line 131 444
Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000

SUPPORT
Lifeline 131 11 14
1800RESPECT 1800 737 732

Have any questions? Contact us at studentservices@sahe.nsw.edu.au, or speak with our team on campus.