Getting help

With the recent reports of sexual assault in the lindy hop scene (and elsewhere), here is some useful info.

The contact details below can help you help your friends and your self.
If you’ve been assaulted (whether recently or less recently), you can get help straight away:

• NSW Rape Crisis Centre: ph 1800 424 017
• VIC Safe Steps

: ph 1800 015 188

• QLD Sexual Assault helpline : ph 1800 010 120
• ACT Canberra Rape Crisis Centre Phone: 02 6247 2525
• SA Yarrow Place Phone: (08) 8226-8777 or 1800 817 421
• TAS Sexual Assault Support Services Hobart and South: Phone (03) 6231 1817
• WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC) Phone (08) 6458 1828 or free call 1800 199 888
• Get help (info for different Australian cities)

Safe dance scenes rely on people taking care of each other. You’re not alone, friend.
There are peeps who will have your back when you need them. Even if they’re on the other side of the planet :)

Anyone who’s been assaulted can ask for help: safety champs are there for peeps of all gender IDs.

1. Your safety is the most important thing. Get somewhere safe, and if you need help to get there, call the numbers below straight away.
2. You deserve help and support. Don’t wait. You deserve to feel safe. The phone numbers below will get you access to experienced help.
3. You can make reports anonymously in the lindy hop scene. This is becoming a priority for most safety champs.
4. You don’t have to speak to or face the person who assaulted you. Don’t ever feel you have to let them ‘respond’ with their ‘side of the story’.
5. You can have an agent/support person or friend (a safety champ) handle reporting an offender to event organisers. You don’t have to go through all that on your own.
6. You can choose who acts as your agent/support person. I suggest an experienced agent, but even your BFF or someone you saw on fb who seems safe.
7. You can decide what action is taken. It’s ok if you just want to know if an offender will be at a particular event. You needn’t go to the police or make a formal complaint. Safety champs are there to be sure you’re safe.
8. If someone asks you to be their agent/safety champ/support person, you can (and should!) get help too. Most of the Australian dance events have awesome safety champs. Find contact details under ‘code of conduct’ pages on event websites.
9. If someone asks you for help, but you don’t feel strong enough on your own – get help! There’s a network of safety champs who can help you access the right people and get help for you and your friend.
10. The international lindy hop scene has been skilling up its safety champs.
    Experienced safety champs like the brilliant MLX team can help you take the next step for keeping yourself and people reporting assaults safe. And if they can’t, they can suggest someone who can.