Web Series
The Take Up Space web-series features the voices of community ambassadors and healthcare professionals, and celebrates the unique identities, experiences, knowledge and stories of people in Melbourne.
Community Voices
Read conversations with community members and professionals on topics like exploring pleasure, having hard conversations and sex and the law.
For Educators
Consent Compass: Navigating Sex, Pleasure and the Law.
This is a free online module for professionals' to increase your confidence and capacity to have conversations with the young people you work with, and support them to make informed decisions.
Sex and Consent
Find resources on sexual wellbeing. This page includes information on sex, consent, pleasure, and respectful relationships.
Mental Wellbeing
Find resources on mental wellbeing and self image.
Art Competition
We're inviting young people to share artistic representations of what taking up space means to you, and think about how you express your identity and prioritise yourself.
“Taking up space is reclaiming the narrative that was written for me. I am many things, and I will continue to be!”
Najma Sambul, Freelance Journalist, Writer, Community Advocate and Take Up Space Community Ambassador
Support services
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1800 Respect
The national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. They provide support for people experiencing, or at the risk of experiencing, violence and abuse, their friends and family, and professionals. They are a confidential service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Phone: 1800 737 732
- Website: 1800respect.org.au
GenWest
GenWest is a family violence support service. GenWest also deliver programs that support communities to lead safe and healthy lives. GenWest supports people based in Melbourne’s west. This includes women, LGBTIQA+ folk, First Nations peoples, people with a disability, migrant and refugee communities, children, young people and older people.
- Phone: 1800 436 937
- Website: genwest.org.au
- Location: 317-319 Barkly St, Footscray (Open in Google maps)
inTouch
A state-wide specialist family violence service that works with women from migrant and refugee backgrounds, their families and their communities in Victoria. They provide case management to women, training, conduct research, and run community-based projects in order to address the issue of family violence in the community.
Note: If you are experiencing abuse and need a translator, please call TIS on 131 450 and ask them to call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, or Safe Steps on 1800 015 188. Both services are open 24 hours.
- Phone: 1800 755 988
- Website: intouch.org.au
Safe Steps
Victoria’s 24/7 family violence response centre. They provide specialist support services for anyone in Victoria who is experiencing or afraid of family violence.
- Phone: 1800 015 188
- Website: safesteps.org.au
The Orange Door
The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence, and families who need extra support with the care of children.
If you would like to refer yourself or someone else to family violence support services, visit the Orange Door website and enter your/their postcode. You can phone or email the Orange Door nearest you, and they can connect you with family violence practitioners as well as any other services and support you might need.
- Web: www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au
- Phone: Western Melbourne on 1800 271 045 or Brimbank Melton on 1800 271 046 (9.00 am - 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday)
WestCASA – Western Region Centre Against Sexual Assault
WestCASA is a community based not-for-profit sexual assault counselling service operating in the western metropolitan region of Melbourne.
WestCASA provides a 24 hour crisis care service in conjunction with the Victorian Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL).
- Crisis line: 1800 806 292
- Phone: 03 9216 0444
- Website: westcasa.org.au
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Beyond Blue
A service that provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live. Chat with a trained mental health professional via phone, email or webchat. You can also participate in their online forums.
- Phone: 1300 22 4636
- Website: beyondblue.org.au
Centre for Multicultural Youth
The Centre for Multicultural Youth is a not-for-profit organisation based in Victoria, providing specialist knowledge and support to young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
- Website: cmy.net.au
Cohealth
Cohealth provides a wide range of community health services. This includes medical and allied health services, and community programs and groups.
- Website: cohealth.org.au
eHeadspace
A service that provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people aged 12-25 and their families and friends. If you’re based in Australia and going through a tough time, eheadspace can help.
- Website: headspace.org.au/eheadspace
headspace – Sunshine
headspace Sunshine offers free support for young people aged 12 to 25, their families and friends. headspace centres act as a one-stop-shop for young people who need help with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drugs or work and study support.
- Phone: 03 9927 6222
- Website: headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/sunshine
Hillside Healthcare Accessible Sexual Health
A program by Kings Park Medical Centre. Bulk-billed and provides services including STI screening, testing and treatment and sex worker support.
- Phone: 03 9217 9400
- Website: www.kingsparkmedical.com.au/hillside-healthcare-accessible-sexual-health/
- Location: 40 Gourlay Road, Hillside (Open in Google Maps)
IPC Health – Women’s Health
IPC Health provide Women’s Health Service to people who live, work or study in Brimbank, Hobsons Bay and Wyndham. A Women’s Health Nurse can help with support and information on sexual and reproductive health. They can provide pap smears, pregnancy testing and advice and referrals to other services. It is a confidential service for women of all ages.
- Website: ipchealth.com.au/womens-health
IPC Health – Youth Health
The Youth Health service is a free and confidential service for all young people aged 12 – 25 years, who live, work, study or play in Brimbank, Wyndham and Hobsons Bay and who need support and information about anything to do with their health and wellbeing.
Kids Helpline
Australia’s only free, confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Qualified counsellors at Kids Helpline are available via WebChat, phone or email anytime and for any reason.
- Phone: 1800 55 1800
- Website: kidshelpline.com.au
MacKillop Family Services
Supporting families and children. Programs include out of home care (including foster, kinship and residential care), Disability Services, Youth Support Services, Education Services, Family Services and Support and Heritage and Information Service.
- Website: mackillop.org.au
The drum
The drum delivers youth services in Carlton, Kensington, North Melbourne, the Melbourne CBD, as well as the Richmond and Collingwood public housing estates. They run programs and events made by young people, for young people. Their service inclusive of young people from ALL genders, religions, cultural and identity backgrounds. Check out their website to learn more about what’s on!
- Phone: 03 9663 6733
- Website: thedrum.ds.org.au
Utopia Refugee and Asylum Seeker Health
A refugee and asylum seeker health service providing primary care (GP services) at no cost to refugees and asylum seekers regardless of their Medicare status.
- Phone: 03 8001 3049
- Website: utopiarefugeehealth.com
- Location: 5 Alexandra Avenue, Hoppers Crossing (Open in Google Maps)
WEstjustice
WEstjustice provides free legal help to people in the Western suburbs of Melbourne. They can help with a broad range of everyday problems, including consumer disputes, credit and debt, family law and family violence, fines, motor vehicle accidents, tenancy, youth criminal law and more. They have offices in Footscray, Werribee and Sunshine, as well as a number of outreach services.
- Phone: 03 9749 7720
- Website: westjustice.org.au
WIRE
A free, Victoria-wide generalist information, support and referral service run by women and non-binary people for women, non-binary and gender-diverse people. WIRE offers you a safe place to share your experience. No matter what the problem is, we are here to listen and support you, and to provide information on services and practitioners that you can connect to. Appointments not needed.
- Phone: 1300 134 130
- Website: wire.org.au
Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS)
The Youth Disability Advocacy Service is an advocacy organisation that works with disabled young people who are aged 12 to 25. They work with disabled young people in Victoria to make sure you can speak up and are being treated fairly.
- Website: yacvic.org.au/ydas
Youth Law Australia – Your rights at the doctor
What are your rights when you visit the doctor? Youth Law Australia provides free, confidential legal information & help for young people under 25 on a range of topics.
- Website: yla.org.au/vic
Phoenix Youth Centre – Maribyrnong City Council
The Youth Centre works to enhance and promote positive development, wellbeing outcomes and active participation for young people. It runs a variety of programs and can offer support in housing, family violence, mental health and more.
- Phone: 03 9091 4700
- Website: maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
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Crystal Queer
Crystal Queer is a social and support group for LGBTQIA+ young people in the Brimbank Area aged 15 – 25 (with consideration made for young people attending under the age of 15). It’s a fun and informative social support group for same-sex attracted, intersex, trans, gender diverse and questioning young people which provides a space to meet like-minded people, learn new event management-related skills, learn about the LGBTQIA+ community and create meaningful events. This program is delivered by Brimbank City Council’s Youth Services. To find out more, email youthsupport2@brimbank.vic.gov.au.
- Phone: 03 9249 4000
- Website: brimbankyouth.com/programs/crystal-queer
Equinox
A peer-led Trans and Gender Diverse & Non Binary (TGD&NB) Health Service operated by the Thorne Harbour Health. Equinox is a health and well being service for the TGD&NB community. Their goal is to ensure positive health outcomes for all members of the Victorian TGD&NB community. Their services include General Practice healthcare, sexual health, hormone initiation and management, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Osteopathy and Counselling.
- Phone: 03 9416 2889
- Website: equinox.org.au
- Location: Ground floor, 200 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford (Open in Google Maps)
Minus18
Minus18 is Australia’s organisation for LGBTI youth – smashing homophobia and transphobia through events, support, training and campaigns. Minus18 aims to improve the health and wellbeing of, and provide a safe environment for, same-sex attracted and gender diverse young people in Australia, seeking to empower them to feel comfortable and confident in their sense of identity and assisting them to grow as happy, healthy individuals well into the future.
- Website: minus18.org.au
QLIFE
QLIFE provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. The QLife family includes hundreds of highly experienced LGBTIQ+ staff and volunteers Australia-wide. You are invited to explore any issue including referrals, community connections, thoughts and feelings around sexual orientation and/or gender identity. All conversations are confidential, anonymous and non-judgmental.
- Phone: 1800 184 527 (webchat available on website)
- Website: switchboard.org.au/qlife
Rainbow Door
Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Gender Diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual, BrotherBoys, SisterGirls) helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family.
Rainbow Door supports people of all ages and identities with issues that may include suicidal thoughts, family and intimate partner violence (including elder abuse), alcohol and other drugs, relationship issues, sexual assault, social isolation, mental health and wellbeing.
- Phone: 1800 729 367
- Website: rainbowdoor.org.au
The Space
The Space is a social support group for same sex attracted, transgender, gender diverse and intersex young people who live, work, study or play in the Melton region. The Space is a safe place to meet like-minded young people and hang out, share stories and support one another. This program is an initiative of Melton City Council’s Young Communities. To join, contact Jaime on 03 9747 5382 or email jaimev@melton.vic.gov.au.
Thorne Harbour Health
Thorne Harbour provides STI testing, GP and sexual health clinics and the provision of safe sex products. They also have LGBTIQA+ peer support groups.
- Phone: 03 9865 6700
- Website: thorneharbour.org
- Location: 200 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford (Open in Google Maps)
Transgender Victoria
TGV is Victoria’s leading body for trans and gender diverse advocacy. Their website has resources for both trans people and their friends & families.
- Website: tgv.org.au
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1800 My Options
A confidential and free phone line and online service, giving you information about contraception, pregnancy options (including abortion) and sexual health, with links to relevant services that can meet your needs in Victoria. They’re proudly pro-choice, non-judgmental, woman-centred and independent. They work alongside hundreds of healthcare providers, to link you to the services that best suit your needs. 1800 My Options does not provide medical, legal or financial advice or counselling.
- Phone: 1800 696 784
- Website: 1800myoptions.org.au
cohealth
Confidential, caring and non-judgemental access to sexual health services. Highly trained general practitioners, sexual and reproductive health nurses and a sexual health physician. They can help with: unplanned pregnancy, medical abortion, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening and information, contraception advice, intrauterine device (IUD) and contraceptive implant insertion and removal, fertility awareness and family planning, cervical screening (previously called ‘pap test’ or ‘pap smear’), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis.
- Phone: 03 9448 5502 (Footscray) 03 9448 5534 (Laverton)
- Website: cohealth.org.au/service/sexual-and-reproductive-health
Laverton Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub
The Laverton Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub provides services that assist in managing all matters related to women’s sexual and reproductive health. With a team of highly trained general practitioners, a sexual health physician and a sexual and reproductive health nurse, they can help with providing information relating to sexual and reproductive health, unplanned pregnancy, STI screening and education, contraception advice, IUD and contraceptive implant insertion and removal, fertility awareness and family planning, cervical screening, management of PCOS, endometriosis and menopause, etc.
- Phone: 03 9448 5534
- Website: cohealth.org.au/health-services/womens-health-services/laverton-sexual-and-reproductive-health-hub
- Location: 95-105 Railway Avenue, Laverton (Open in Google Maps)
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) provides free sexual healthcare to both Medicare and non-Medicare card holders.
Their clinical services include:
- STI screening
- counselling
- pathology
- HIV treatment & prevention programs, and more.
MSHC can help link you to healthcare services that are most suitable for you, and they offer a free over-the-phone counselling service with nurses who can answer concerns.
- Phone: 03 9341 6200
- Website: mshc.org.au
- Location: 580 Swanston Street, Carlton. Open in Google Maps.
Sexual Health Victoria (formerly Family Planning Victoria)
A service that promotes reproductive and sexual health for all Victorians by providing reproductive and sexual health care and training clinics, education and health care resources, research and advocacy and more.
- Phone: 03 9257 0100
- Freecall: 1800 013 952
- Website: shvic.org.au/our-reproductive-and-sexual-health-clinics#clinic-locations
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Translating and interpreting service (TIS)
Who do I contact when I need an interpreter? The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) has produced some Frequently Asked Questions for non-english speakers designed to answer some common questions.
- Website: www.tisnational.gov.au
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Apps and websites with information support
Ask Izzy
Ask Izzy is a website that connects people in need with housing, a meal, money help, family violence support, counselling and much more. It is free and anonymous, with over 370,000 services listed across Australia. And if you’re on the Telstra or Vodafone mobile networks, you can access Ask Izzy on your phone even if you don’t have credit or access to wifi.
- Website: askizzy.org.au
BITE BACK
BITE BACK is Black Dog Institute’s FREE, self-guided online wellbeing and resilience program for young people aged 13 – 16 years old. Evidence shows that using BITE BACK can decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety and increase wellbeing. BITE BACK uses a combination of fun, interactive activities, quizzes, animations and information across nine positive psychology domains including gratitude, optimism, flow, meaning, hope, mindfulness, character strengths, healthy lifestyle, and positive relationships.
- Website: biteback.org.au
Brimbank Youth Directory
An online guide to helpful services for young people in Brimbank and neighbouring areas. Brimbank Youth Services provides and manages this online directory.
- Website: brimbankyouthdirectory.com
Consent, Empowerment and Respect campaign
GenWest’s Consent, Empowerment and Respect campaign has been developed to provide young folks in Melbourne’s west with information about their sexual and reproductive health.
This campaign encourages young people to be actively involved in their sexual and reproductive health by being informed, making their own choices and taking ownership of their body, their health and their wellbeing.
The campaign has a range of different resources that are designed to communicate that sexual and reproductive health and all that comes with it, such as pleasure, periods, sex and using contraception are not things to be ashamed or embarrassed of. If you have any questions, please contact info@genwest.org.au.
GLBTIQ Multicultural Directory
A list of online resources.
- Website: agmc.org.au/resources-support
iBobbly
A social and emotional wellbeing self-help app for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 15 years and over.
Multilingual Women’s Health Library by Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health
The MCWH Library is a specialist library of women’s health resources made for migrant and refugee communities in languages other than English or easy to read English.
The library is a welcoming place where women across Australia can connect and build life long knowledge and skills for their health and wellbeing.
myCompass
A free internet and smartphone-based self-help program for people with depression, anxiety and stress. It delivers proven psychological techniques used by doctors and psychologists such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).
- Website: mycompass.org.au
Pride, Respect, Equality
A campaign by Respect Victoria aiming to bring awareness and educate Victorians about family violence against LGBTIQA+ people. Visit their website to access stories and free resources for both the LGBTIQA+ community and allies.
The Pronoun Lowdown: Demystifying and Celebrating Gender Diversity by Nevo Zisin
Dismantle the messy myth of gender, with this a colorful, approachable, and irreverent-AF book. This book highlights, demystifies, and celebrates the lived experience of trans and gender-nonconforming folk.
This book provides an illustrated history of how the gender binary came about, from ancient Greece to now.
Everyone deserves to have their identify affirmed by the world through which they move. This book celebrates gender-diverse identities, in all their fluid and imperfect perfection!
- Website: nevozisin.com/books/pronoun-lowdown
ReachOut
An internet service for young people that provides information, support and resources about mental health issues and enable them to develop resilience, increase coping skills, and facilitate help-seeking behaviour.
- Website: au.reachout.com
Shifra
Shifra has been co-designed with refugee and migrant communities and organisations to help users access culturally-sensitive sexual and reproductive health information in local languages. Information is currently available in Arabic and English with more languages coming soon.
- Website: shifra.app/en
JOY FM
Australia’s LGBTIQA+ independent media organisation, made up of the diverse voices of the rainbow.
You can hear and see stories from the LGBTIQA+ community and our allies on JOY 94.9 Radio (FM and DAB+[trial]), online via livestream, in JOY Podcasts and on JOY TV 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
- Website: joy.org.au
IRL Sexual Health App
Created by Sexual Health Victoria this free app includes information on what sex is, your legal rights, consent, contraception, protection against STIs, and pregnancy, plus a range of answers you didn’t even know you had questions about.
IRL is a sexual health app that is free to download, gender and sexuality neutral, frank, honest, taboo-free and medically accurate. It is underwritten by sexual health doctors, nurses and teachers.
- Website: shvic.org.au/schools/app
Dating in Australia: Reproductive and Sexual Health for International Students
This free eLearning module by Sexual Health Victoria provides a comprehensive overview of sexual and reproductive health, covering topics such as dating in Australia, taking care of your sexual health, contraception options and unintended pregnancy and access to sexual health services. The information in this course is provided in multiple languages.
- Website: shvic.org.au/courses
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Consent - Top tips with delsi
How to write an op-ed with Najma Sambul
Principles of good online storytelling with Kelly from GenWest
Essentials for accessible social media with Kelly from GenWest
Rejection is not always rejection with Najib from Brimbank Learning Futures
Reflective Career Development with Learning Futures Brimbank
Employment and Career Glossary Terms with Learning Futures Brimbank
Affirmative consent fact sheet
“To take up space means to challenge spaces that are majority white, speak on why these spaces don’t have diversity. Be there, invite more colour to the table and create a shift on how these spaces operate.”
Achut Thuc, Community Engagement Worker and Creative Writer
About Take Up Space
The project was first launched in 2021 to provide support for young people the through COVID-19 pandemic with education, community voices and support in their mental health and wellbeing, sexual wellbeing and relationships.
Take Up Space encourages young people to share their experiences with others and recognise that you are not alone.
Throughout this project, we focus on topics that are sometimes hard to talk about, like:
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Sexual wellbeing
- Healthy relationships
The project includes a video web series and resources that encourage young people to share their experiences with others and know they're not alone.
Working closely with members of the community, we have developed a series of resources that support young people in these areas. Together, we want to promote the voices of young people and encourage them to TAKE UP SPACE!
Take Up Space is a project created by GenWest which has been supported by funding from the Victorian Government.
Illustrations by Samantha Curcio.
Statement of solidarity
GenWest acknowledge with gratitude the past advocacy and resilience of movements for equity by the LGBTIQA+ community that continues to be fought for today. In solidarity, we express sorrow for past and ongoing prejudices, and are committed to shifting our approach, to be guided collectively by the unique and different ways in which the LGBTIQA+ community experience gender and identity discrimination and oppression.
