Sexual Assault Crisis Response at the RCH

Gatehouse provides a 24/7 in-person sexual assault crisis response service to any child who presents at The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) and has experienced sexual harm and their families.

This service operates 24/7 including all weekend and on public holidays. 

The attending Gatehouse clinician can provide immediate psychological and emotional support to a child and their family, undertake risk and safety assessments and arrange appropriate referrals to other services, including child protection or a specialist sexual assault service for ongoing counselling. The Gatehouse clinician can also support children and their parents/carers if any medical treatment is required or if they wish to proceed with a forensic medical examination. 

Crisis response during business hours

Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm

Call Gatehouse on 03 9345 6391.

After-hours crisis response

Monday–Friday, 5pm–9am, all weekend and public holidays

Call the Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL) on 03 8345 3494.

Gatehouse accepts crisis care response referrals from professionals (police, child protection, hospital staff) and parents/carers and is a voluntary service.